Metabolism of 11-oxygenated steroids. Metabolism in vitro by preparations of liver
1. The isolation and partial purification of 11β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase from rat and guinea-pig liver microsomes has been achieved by conventional methods. 2. The efficiency of different 11-oxygenated steroids as substrates has been examined. The relative efficiencies confirm in the main the stereochemical theory of the enzyme–coenzyme–substrate complex that was proposed earlier on the basis of studies in vivo. Δ4-3-Ketones and 5α-hydrogen steroids are readily metabolized by the enzyme. 5β-Hydrogen steroids and Δ4-3-ketones with certain large α-substituents are metabolized to a limited extent or not at all. Halogen substitution in the 9α-position enhances the rate of reduction of 11-ketones but blocks the oxidation of the related 11β-ols. 3. 9α-Fluorocortisol is a competitive inhibitor of the oxidation of cortisol, but 9α-fluorocortisone is reduced at five to ten times the initial velocity of cortisone. 4. 11β-Hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activity has been found in liver microsomes of rat, guinea pig, rabbit and calf. 5. Relative substrate efficiencies and Km values are similar in whole (debris-free) homogenates, washed microsomes and acetone-dried powders of washed microsomes. 6. A variety of conditions have been examined for the observation of 11β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activity. NADP(H) is an efficient and NAD(H) a very poor coenzyme for the reaction.