Enzymatic and Chemical Synthesis of 3-Dehydroecdysterone, a Metabolite of the Moulting Hormone of Insects

Abstract
3-Dehydroecdysterone, a less polar metabolite of ecdysterone, was synthesized in vitro using either an enzyme (ecdysone oxidase, EC 1.1.3.16) or the chemical catalyst Pt. 3-Dehydroecdysterone was purified and characterized by its chromatographic behavior, its staining properties and UV, IR, NMR and mass spectroscopy. The compound is 1/15 as active as ecdysone in the Calliphora molting hormone bioassay. Its biological relevance is discussed.