title: Microbial transformations of testosterone to 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone by two species of Penicillium: P. chrysogenum and P. crustosum.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Systems, Metropolitan University, Xochimilco, Mexico. marisa@cueyatl.uam.mx
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cabeza
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Avalos
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hernández
mesh_terms: D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010407:Penicillium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase