INTERMEDIATES IN THE METABOLISM OF STEROIDS BY PENICILLIUM LILACINUM

Abstract
Nonproliferating cells of Penicillium lilacinum Thorn metabolized progesterone successively to 2O-[beta]-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, testosterone, androstenedione, and testololactone. Testosterone and androstenedione were readily interconvertible. ll-[alpha]-Hydroxyprogesterone was transformed in an analogous way and its intermediate, 11-[alpha], 20-[beta]-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, was isolated and identified by a combination of microbiological and chemical methods.