PROGESTERONE METABOLISM BY THE FILAMENTOUS FUNGUS COCHLIOBOLUS-LUNATUS

Studies of Cochliobolus lunatus m118 steroid metabolism by thin-layer chromatography, mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy revealed that t he fungus hydroxylates progesterone at positions 7 alpha, 11 beta and 14 alpha, and oxidizes the 11 beta-hydroxy group to the ketone. The H- 1 NMR spectra of two of the steroid metabolites, 11 beta,14 alpha-dihy droxyprogesterone and 11-oxo-14 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, are reporte d for the first time. It is still not known if all the hydroxylation r eactions are performed in C. lunatus by a single, non-specific, steroi d hydroxylase, structurally different from the 11 beta-hydroxylase fou nd in higher eucaryotes, or if different forms of the enzyme are invol ved.