EFFECT OF SOME REDOX AGENTS AND TRACE ELEMENTS ON THE HYDROXYLATION OF PROGESTERONE WITH RHIZOPUS NIGRICANS REF 129

Abstract

The formation of 11α-hydroxyallopregnane and 6β, 11α-dihydroxyprogesterone, obtained when Rhizopus nigricans REF 129 was applied 11α-hydroxyprogesterone, was controlled by the addition of some redox agents and trace metals to the fermentation medium. The addition of Methylene Blue greatly reduced the concentration of 11α-hydroxyallopregnane. Moreover, potassium ferricyanide completely inhibited its formation. When the experimental organism was grown on Zn²⁺-deficient medium, the formation of 6β, 11α-dihydroxyprogesterone from 11α-hydroxyprogesterone was markedly restricted. However, the addition of Zn²⁺ (0.002-0.004μg Zn²⁺/ml) or Cd²⁺ (0.002mg/ml) stimulated the formation of 6β, 11α-dihydroxyprogesterone. On the other hand, the addition of Cd²⁺ (0.004mg Cd²⁺/ml) nearly inhibited the formation of 6β, 11α-dihydroxyprogesterone.
Similar results were obtained when progesterone was charged to the medium supplemented with either potassium ferricyanide or Cd²⁺ (0.004mg Cd²⁺/ml). Under these conditions, a notable increase in the concentrations of 11α-hydroxyprogesterone and epicortisol was observed, but the transformation of the other transformation products, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, 21-hydroxyprogesterone, and 11α, 17α-dihydroxyprogesterone, remained unaffected.