METABOLISM OF PROGESTERONE BY CYLINDROCARPON RADICICOLA AND STREPTOMYCES LAVENDULAE

Abstract

Examination of the products formed when [DELTA]4 -pregnene-3,20-dione (progesterone) is metabolized by_S. lavendulae and C. radicicola shows that [DELTA] 1,4 -androstadiene-17[beta]-01-3-one and [DELTA] 1,4 -androstadiene-3,17-dione are common intermediates. Another substance, possibly l-dehydroprogesterone, is common to both fermentations and may be a precursor of the andro-stadienes. Formation of [DELTA] 1,4 -androstadiene-17[beta]-o1-3-one precedes formation of the androstadienedione in fermentations by both organisms. In C.radicicola fermentations [DELTA] 1,4 -androstadiene-3,17-dione is metabolized further to 1-dehydrotestololactone, which has a high degree of stability. In contrast, the androstadienes formed in S.lavendulae fermentations disappear without evidence for formation of 1-dehydrotestololactone. The degradation products of [DELTA]1,4 -androstadiene-3,17-dione which are formed by S.lavendulae have not been identified.