CONVERSION OF ANDROST-4-ENE-3,17-DIONE-4-14C TO OESTROGENS BY SUBCELLULAR FRACTIONS OF THE HUMAN CORPUS LUTEUM OF THE NORMAL CYCLE

Abstract

ABSTRACT The subcellular localization of the aromatizing enzymes from four human corpora lutea was investigated. Subcellular fractions were prepared by differential centrifugation, and incubations of each fraction were carried out with androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-4-14C and a TPNH generating system. Oestrogen metabolites were characterized by phenolic separation, repeated paper chromatography, incubation with freshly prepared placental 17β-ol dehydrogenase, methylation and recrystallization to constant specific activity. The experimental results indicate that the aromatizing enzymes were localized mainly in the microsomal fractions of homogenates of human corpora lutea.