Steroid-inducible transcription of the 3 beta/17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase gene (3 beta/17 beta-hsd) in Comamonas testosteroni

The expression of the Comamonas testosteroni gene, encoding 3 beta/17 beta- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme (3 beta/17 beta-HSD). was analyzed at t he transcriptional level. Northern blot analysis detected a 1 kb transcript in bacterial cells grown in minimum media supplemented with Casamino acids and testosterone. Also this transcript was observed when cells were grown in presence of 1-dehydrotestosterone, androstenedione and 1,4-androstadien- 3,17dione, but not in presence of acetate, citrate, cholic acid, cholestero l, and cortisol. In addition, this effect was dependent on the presence of another carbon source in the growth medium used, revealing catabolite repre ssion. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.