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Steroid Δ^1-dehydrogenase purified from hydrocortisone-induced cells of Arthrobacter simplex converted various 3-ketosteroids into their corresponding Δ^1-dehydrogenated products. The transformation efficiencies depend upon the chemical structure of the steroids, especially length of the side chain at 17 position and hydroxyl groups at 11 and 17 positions. The Km values for androstenedione, the most favorable substrate examined, and hydrocortisone were 74μM and 294μM, respectively. The optimum temperature and pH of the enzyme reaction were 35℃ and pH 9, respectively, and the enzyme was relatively stable at the range from 20 to 35℃ and from pH 5 to 10 after one hour of incubation. The enzyme activity was markedly inhibited in the presence of Cu^2+, Fe^3+, Hg^2+, Mo^6+ ions, and somewhat inhibited by Zn^2+ and Fe^2+. α, α´-Dipyridyl that inhibits 9α-hydroxylase and accumulates 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione from sterols revealed no inhibitory effect on this enzyme. EGTA showed inhibitory effect. β-Estradiol competitively inhibited the enzyme activity. Chemical modifications of the enzyme were attempted with several reagents. p-Hydroxymercuribenzoate showed inhibition of the enzyme activity and protection of the substrate. This suggests that cysteine residue may be involved in the active site of the enzyme.
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