Microbial hormones

Therapeutics. Therapeutic materials represent a class of polypeptides that are a low volume, high value product. The production system need not be very efficient but the quaHty of the recombinant protein has to be extremely pure (33,34). Thus high cost mammalian production systems can be tolerated. However, some of the therapeutic proteins such as insulin, human growth hormone, interleukins, interferon, and streptokinase are produced microbially. 

Whole microbial cells as well as microbially derived enzymes have played a significant role in the production of novel antibiotics. The potential of microorganisms as chemical catalysts, however, was first fully realized in the synthesis of industrially important steroids. These reactions have assumed increasing importance following the discovery that certain steroids such as hydrocortisone have anti-inflammatory activity, whilst derivatives of the steroidal sex hormones are nsefiil as oral contraceptive agents. More recently, chiral inversion of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory dmgs (NS AIDs) has been demonstrated. 

The fate of hormones, irrespective of their origin, will be a function of the physicochemical properties of the hormones, the conditions prevailing in the sewage or manure disposal or treatment unit and the microbial activity. As hormones tend to be sorbed by the organic matter, the concentration of solids prevailing in these systems will greatly affect the fate of hormones. 

The term pharmaceutical includes more than 4,000 chemicals used to control and treat different kinds of diseases in humans and animals. Pharmaceuticals include analgesics, anti-inflammatories, anti-epileptics, (l-blockers, compounds used to prevent and treat parasites and microbial infections (parasiticides and antibiotics) and those for combating cancer. Hormones are also a class of pharmaceuticals but due to their particular involvement in endocrine disruption, they have been discussed in a separate section (see above). 

The specific function of many phytochemicals is still unclear however, a considerable number of studies have shown that they are involved in the interaction of plants/pests/diseases. Most plants produce phytochemicals as anti-microbial, antibiotic, insecticidal and hormonal agents either as part of... 

Throughout history, mankind has always been interested in naturally occurring compounds from prebiotic, microbial, plants and animals sources. Various extracts of flowers, plants and insects have been used for isolating compounds whose task, color and odor could be used for various purposes. Many natural products, such as plant hormones, have a regulatory role, while others function as chemical defense against pests. The role of certain compounds is to act as chemical messengers, such as sex-attractants (pheromones) in insects, terrestrial and marine animals and humans. What is the origin of natural products ... 

Antibiotics are required to prevent microbial growth consequent to accidental microbial contamination. Supplemental serum (often bovine or fetal calf serum, or synthetic serum composed of a mixture of growth factors, hormones and metabolites typically found in serum) is required as a source of the often ill-defined growth factors required by some animal cell lines. 

Interact with antigens increasing the concentration of calcium in cells which in turn induces transcription of the interleukin that stimulates growth and differentiation of T-cells. Interleukin is a hormone of the immune system that is important in the body s response to microbial infections. 

The synthesis of adrenal steroids and major excreted metabolites is illustrated in Fig. 5.3.1. Little secreted steroid product is excreted unchanged and most of the catabolism takes place in the liver, although cortisol metabolism by the kidney is clinically important and microbial metabolism in the gut can be quantitatively significant. The major metabolic transformations of hormonal steroids and precursors are detailed by Makin [54] and summarized in Fig. 5.3.2. GC-MS steroid profiling is the technique of choice for measurement of important urinary constituents. 

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