title: Conversion of sterols and triterpenes by mycobacteria. I Formation of progesterone and 1-dehydroprogesterone from Mycobacterium aurum, strain A+.
abstract: Side-chain degradation of sterols by bacteria is known to proceed via oxidation of a terminal methyl group followed by a succession of beta-oxidative steps. By this pathway, the pregnane backbone is not produced. However, examination of cholesterol degradation products using a strain of Mycobacterium aurum shows that progesterone and 1-dehydroprogesterone are present at low levels. These pregnane derivatives were identified by gas-liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. This indicates that an alternative pathway for sterol side-chain degradation occurs in bacteria, which could be of great interest for the biological production of corticosteroid precursors.
mesh_terms: D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013261:Sterols / Q000378:metabolism*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013261:Sterols; D014315:Triterpenes; C038897:1-dehydroprogesterone; D011374:Progesterone; D002784:Cholesterol