Progesterone microbial transformation

Smith KE, S Latif, DN Kirk, KA White (1988) Microbial transformations of steroids—I. Rare transformations of progesterone by Apiocrea chrysosperma. J Steroid Biochem 31 83-89. 

In every case the information provided has been obtained by collating public domain sources of information, but unfortunately very often little data is available, particularly on commercial aspects, even for products that have proved to be big successes. Thus microbial biotransformations for steroid modification, particularly stereoselective hydroxylations, such as the use of Rhizopus arrhizus to convert progesterone into antiinflammatory and other dmgs via 11- -hydroxyprogestrone, have proved to be very successful. However, comparatively little useful information exists from public domain sources, despite (or perhaps because) a market of hundreds of millions /a exists for such microbially transformed steroids (cortisone, aldosterone, prednisolone and prednisone etc.) produced by microbial hydroxylation and dehydrogenation reactions coupled with complimentary chemical steps. 

Microbial transformations of steroids-XI. Progesterone transformation by Streptomyces roseo chromogenes-purification and characterisation of the 16 alpha-hydroxylase system. J. Steroid Biochem. 71, 153-165. 

The drug obtained vza microbial transformation of progesterone is found to be devoid of any androgenic activity in the usual recommened dosage regimens. 

Peterson DH (1952) Microbial transformations of steroids. I. Introduction of oxygen at carbon-11 of progesterone. J Am Chem Soc 74 5933-5936... 

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