title: Bioconversion of sitosterol to useful steroidal intermediates by mutants of Mycobacterium fortuitum.
abstract: A series of mutants which are blocked at various stages of the sterol degradative pathway have been isolated from the potent sterol degrader Mycobacterium fortuitum ATCC-6842. Sitosterol bioconversions by these mutants result in the accumulation of a number of intermediate compounds, some of which are potentially useful as substrates in the manufacture of medically important steroids. These intermediates include androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, androsta-1,4-diene,3,17-dione, ring A-degraded tricyclic compounds and various 9alpha-hydroxy-steroids.
mesh_terms: D000730:Androstadienes / Q000378:metabolism; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D001711:Biotransformation; D009154:Mutation; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D012855:Sitosterols; D000735:Androstenedione