Retroconversion of estrogens into androgens by bacteria via a cobalamin-mediated methylation.

ABSTRACT: Steroid estrogens modulate physiology and development of vertebrates. Conversion of C₁₉ androgens into C₁₈ estrogens is thought to be an irreversible reaction. Here, we report a denitrifying Denitratisoma sp. strain DHT3 capable of catabolizing estrogens or androgens anaerobically. Strain DHT3 genome contains a polycistronic gene cluster, emtABCD, differentially transcribed under estrogen-fed conditions and predicted to encode a cobalamin-dependent methyltransferase system conserved among estrogen-utilizing anaerobes; an emtA-disrupted DHT3 derivative could catabolize androgens but not estrogens. These data, along with the observed androgen production in estrogen-fed strain DHT3 cultures, suggested the occurrence of a cobalamin-dependent estrogen

SUBMITTER: Wang PH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6983444 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature