• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 1991

Rhizopus nigricans produces 11.alpha.-hydroxyprogesternoe with a unidentified byproduct, which is hardly separated. Results of chromatography, IR and NMR spectroscopy identified the byproduct to be 11.alpha.-hydroxy-allopregnane-3,20-dione. R. nigricans was found to transform progesternoe into a monoform intermediate, 11.alpha.-hydroxyprogesterone, from which 11.alpha.-hydroxy-allopregnane-3,20-dione and 6.betha., 11.alpha. - dihydroxyprogesterone were formed respectively by 5.alpha.-reduction and 6.betha.-hydroxylation.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 1993

Ion effects on $11{\alpha}-hydroxylation$ of progesterone and $5{\alpha}-reduction\;of\;11{\alpha}-hydroxyprogesterone$ by Rhizopus nigricans were investigated. Metal ions such as $Cu^{2+},\;Cd^{2+},\;Co^{2+},\;Mn^{2+},\;Zn^{2+},\;Fe^{2+},\;Mg^{2+},\;Fe^{3+}\;and\;Na^+$ reduced the $11{\alpha}-hydroxylation$ activity, while $K^+$ stimulated the same reaction. Enzyme activity for the $5{\alpha}-reduction$ of $11{\alpha}-hydroxyprogesterone$ was increased in the presence of $Fe^{2+},\;Mn^{2+},\;Mg^{2+},\;Co^{2+},\;Zn^{2+},\;Fe^{3+},\;K^+\;and\;Na^+$, whereas it was decreased in the presence of $Cd^{2+}\;and\;Cu^{2+}$. Potassium ion of $10^{-3}\;M\;$ of concentration was found to be effective for the promotion of $11{\alpha}-hydroxylation$. On the other hand, cadmium ion of $10^{-4}\;M$ was proved to suppress the $5{\alpha}-reduction$ reaction. Progesterone is reported to be transformed into $11{\alpha}-hydroxyprogesterone$ which, in turn, is converted further into $11{\alpha}-hydroxy-allopregnane-3$, 20-dione by R. nigricans. From this point of view, the highest yield of $11{\alpha}-hydroxyprogesterone$ could be obtained when potassium ion of $10^{-3}\;M$ was given initially followed by addition of cadmium ion of $10^{-4}\;M$ to limit conversion of 11{\alpha}-hydroxyprogesterone into $11{\alpha}-hydroxy-allopregnane-\;3$, 20-dione.