Transformation of steroids by algae.
Twenty-two algal cultures grown photoautotrophically were incubated with 4-androstene-3,17-dione and 17 beta-hydroxy-4-androstene-3-one. Most cultures were capable of effecting transformation. The metabolites were isolated and detected by tlc and hplc, and were identified by comparison of chromatographic and/or spectral properties with those of authentic compounds. Most cultures showed the presence of 17-oxidoreductase, some were capable of hydroxylating 4-androstenedione at the 6 beta- and 14 alpha-positions, and a few were capable of utilizing substrates as an energy and/or a carbon source. Incubations with testosterone showed very little metabolism.
D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism; D001711:Biotransformation; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000378:metabolism*; D005285:Fermentation; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism
D013256:Steroids; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione