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. 1981 Sep;42(3):394–399. doi: 10.1128/aem.42.3.394-399.1981

Transformation of bile acids by Clostridium perfringens.

S Hirano, N Masuda, H Oda, H Mukai
PMCID: PMC244026  PMID: 6271056

Abstract

Thirty-five strains of Clostridium perfringens were examined for their ability to transform bile acids, both in growing cultures and by washed whole cells. All of the strains oxidized the 3 alpha-hydroxy group to an oxo group, and all except three converted the same alpha-hydroxy group into a beta-configuration. The oxidative 3 alpha-dehydrogenation was barely detectable under anaerobic cultural conditions but was clearly demonstrated in an aerated system using washed whole cells, with a pH optimum between 7.0 and 9.0. The epimerizing reaction amounting to 10 to 20% conversion was observed in anaerobic cultures and also with resting cells, irrespective of oxygen supply. Both reactions were carried out with seven conventional 3 alpha-hydroxy bile acids, thus producing a series of 3-oxo and 3 beta-hydroxy derivatives that could be examined for gas-liquid chromatographic and mass spectrometric behavior. No evidence for the occurrence of 7 alpha- and 12 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities among the test strains was found. A highly potent deconjugating hydrolase was elaborated by all of the strains.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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