Microbial transformations of testosterone to 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone by two species of Penicillium: P. chrysogenum and P. crustosum. |
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| Authors: | M S Cabeza E B Gutiérrez G A García A H Avalos M A Hernández |
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| Institution: | Department of Biological Systems, Metropolitan University, Xochimilco, Mexico. marisa@cueyatl.uam.mx |
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| Abstract: | Two species of Penicillium--P. chrysogenum and P. crustosum--were cultured in presence of 3H]testosterone as a substrate. Both species were shown to reduce the 4,5-double bond in testosterone to give dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The steroids produced were 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, DHT, 3alpha-hydroxy-5beta-androstan-17-one, 3alpha-hydroy-5alpha-androstan-17-one, 4-androstene-3,17-dione, and 5alpha-androstane-3,17-dione. These products implicate the presence of the 5alpha-reductase, with maximal activity at pH 6 and 8, in both species of Penicillium. The presence of DHT in the growth medium and not in the mycelium suggests that DHT is excreted into the medium. |
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