Progesterone transformation as a biochemical aid in classification of the genusEmericella

Abstract

A total of 65 isolates representing 13 Emericella taxa (5 isolates of each of 12 species and 1 variety) had the ability to transform progesterone into 11 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. A systematic variation could be observed between the different tested Emericella taxa with respect to the transformation products. The isolates were divided according to the transformation types into six groups: (1) progesterone was hydroxylated into 6 beta-hydroxyprogesterone, 11 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and 6 beta,11 alpha-dihydroxyprogesterone--found in Emericella acristata and E. dentata; (2) E. aurantio-brunna and E. parvathecia hydroxylated progesterone into 11 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and 11 alpha,17 alpha-dihydroxyprogesterone; (3) E. nidulans and E. quadrilineata formed the same three products as members of group (2) and form epicortisol; (4) E. nidulans var. lata, E. bicolor and E. variecolor transformed progesterone into a mixture of mono-, di- and trihydroxy products; (5) E. striata and E. sublata exhibited an oxidative splitting of the progesterone side chain in position C-17 and hydroxylated progesterone into mono- and dihydroxy products; (6) E. rugulosa and E. unguis had the ability to degrade progesterone side-chain and to hydroxylate it into mono-, di- and trihydroxy products. This biochemical differentiation may supplement the morphological and other biochemical criteria used in the classification of the Emericella taxa.

Production of 11alpha-hydroxyprogesterone using Aspergillus terreus immobilized on polytetrafluoroethylene

“…Transformation of poorly soluble progesterone into 11α-hydroxyprogesterone (11α-HP) was selected as an ideal transformation process. Importance of 11α-HP as anti-inflammatory agent and in synthesis of cortisone is well known (23,29,31). Specific characteristics of the immobilized cells such as the ability to ensure long term repeated batch processing, stability to stirring conditions, substrate concentrations and pH and temperature variation were targeted.…”

Biotransformación de esteroides por "Aspergillus nidulans" y otras especies fúngicas = Steroid biotransformation by "Asperillus nidulans" and other fungal species

“…38 se muestra el cromatograma obtenido por UPLC de la muestra y el posterior análisis, por separado, de cada pico por espectrometría de masas. Aunque no podemos asegurar qué otros derivados hidroxilados se estaban formando a partir de la progesterona, podría suponerse que fuesen derivados hidroxilados tanto en C11 y C17 (configuración alfa) tal y como describió Zohri en el año 2000 (Zohri, 2000). Fig.…”