Microbial hydroxylation of steroids

Abstract

Current study was initiated to investigate steroid hydroxylation potential of a new food born thermophile Geobacillus kaustophilus. Incubation of progesterone and testosterone with G. kaustophilus resulted in stereospecific hydroxylation of progesterone and testosterone giving monohydroxylated and dihydroxylated products. A cleavage of ring B of the steroid nucleus was also obtained which is a novel metabolite. Geobacillus kaustophilus has not been used before for steroid hydroxylations. Thermophilic enzymes have a significant advantage for their isolation at elevated temperatures and can be used for cell free transformations offering a convenient method for introduction of hydroxyl groups in a stereospecific and regiospecific manner into steroid nuclei. Stereochemical oxygenation of a steroid nucleus is not possible with chemical reactions and microbial hydroxylation of steroids may have a direct impact on drug development.ConclusionG. kaustophilus has an excellent potential for stereospecific hydroxylation of natural steroid nucleus at elevated temperature. This study was supported by Research Administration, Kuwait University, Kuwait.