Bacterial steroid-17,20-desmolase is a taxonomically rare enzymatic pathway that converts prednisone to 1,4-androstanediene-3,11,17-trione, a metabolite that causes proliferation of prostate cancer cells.

ABSTRACT: The adrenal gland has traditionally been viewed as a source of "weak androgens"; however, emerging evidence indicates 11-oxy-androgens of adrenal origin are metabolized in peripheral tissues to potent androgens. Also emerging is the role of gut bacteria in the conversion of C₂₁ glucocorticoids to 11-oxygenated C₁₉ androgens. Clostridium scindens ATCC 35,704 is a gut microbe capable of converting cortisol into 11-oxy-androgens by cleaving the side-chain. The desA and desB genes encode steroid-17,20-desmolase. Our prior study indicated that the urinary tract bacterium, Propionimicrobium lymphophilum ACS-093-V-SCH5 encodes desAB and converts cortisol to 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione. We wanted to determine how widespread this function occurs in the human microbiome. Phyloge

SUBMITTER: Ly LK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7333170 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature