3-Hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activities of cortisone reductase

Abstract

The behaviour of various C19 and C18 steroids as substrates for crystalline preparations of cortisone reductase (EC 1.1.1.53) is described. 3α(Axial,3R)-, 3α(equatorial,3R)- and 3β(axial,3S)-hydroxy steroid–NAD oxidoreductase activities are demonstrated. Four pairs of the substrates differed only in the shape of the a/b ring junction, three pairs differed only in substitution at C-10, and four pairs differed only in substitution in ring d. The shape of the substrate molecule and certain substituents (e.g. 10β-methyl, 17β-hydroxy, 16-oxo or 17-oxo) altered substrate behaviour, but steroids differing considerably in shape nevertheless acted as substrates, suggesting the possibility of a large or flexible binding site. Km values varied about 10-fold, many being approx. 140μm. Vmax. values covered a greater range (about 200-fold) and the good substrates had high Vmax. values rather than low Km values.