The catalytic activity of mycelial fungi towards 7-oxo-DHEA - an endogenous derivative of steroidal hormone dehydroepiandrosterone.

ABSTRACT

Seventeen species of fungi belonging to thirteen genera were screened for the ability to carry out the transformation of 7-oxo-DHEA (7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone). Some strains expressed new patterns of catalytic activity towards the substrate, namely 16ß-hydroxylation (Laetiporus sulphureus AM498), Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of ketone in D-ring to lactone (Fusicoccum amygdali AM258) and esterification of the 3ß-hydroxy group (Spicaria divaricata AM423). The majority of examined strains were able to reduce the 17-oxo group of the substrate to form 3ß,17ß-dihydroxy-androst-5-en-7-one. The highest activity was reached with Armillaria mellea AM296 and Ascosphaera apis AM496 for which complete conversion of the starting material was achieved, and the resulting 17ß-alcohol was the sole reaction product. Two strains of tested fungi were also capable of stereospecific reduction of the conjugated 7-keto group leading to 7ß-hydroxy-DHEA (Inonotus radiatus AM70) or a mixture of 3ß,7α,17ß-trihydroxy-androst-5-ene and 3ß,7ß,17ß-trihydroxy-androst-5-ene (Piptoporus betulinus AM39). The structures of new metabolites were confirmed by MS and NMR analysis. They were also examined for their cholinesterase inhibitory activity in an enzymatic-based assay in vitro test.