The Selectivity in the Biotransformation of Testosterones with the Cultured Cells of Marchantia polymorpha

Abstract

The biotransformation of 17 α-acetoxy-epitesterone and 17 β-acetoxy-testosterone with the cultured cells of Marchantia polymorpha was investigated. It was found that (i) the cultured cells hydrolyzed the acetoxyl groups of 17 α-acetoxy-epitestosterone and 17 β-acetoxy-testosterone to their corresponding alcohols, (ii) the cultured cells hydrolyzed predominantly 17 β-acetoxy-testosterone, and (iii) the cultured cells oxidized the hydroxyl group at C-17 of epitestosterone, whereas no the oxidation of the hydroxyl group of testosterone occurred.