Enzymic aromatization of deuterium labelled testosterone and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione

The preparation and aromatization by human placental microsomes of androst-4-ene-3-ones labelled with deuterium at C-4, C-6α, C-6β, C-16, and C-19 is described. Deuterium nmr spectra are reported for these compounds and for a sample of a 1,2-dideuterated androst-4-ene-3-one; the latter is formed nonstereospecifically by reduction of the C-1(2) double bond of a Δ1,4-diene-3-one. Aromatization by placental microsomes occurs with retention of deuterium at C-4 and C-6, but with some loss from C-16. The aromatization of 19-d1 and 19,19,19-d3 steroids in the presence of 16,16-d2 steroids has been carried out to determine the deuterium isotope effect for the oxidative removal of C-19. The values obtained (kH/kD for 19-d1 = 2.3, kH/kD for 19,19, 19-d3 = 3.2) are a combination of primary and secondary effects, but suggest that oxidation at C-19 is a rate-limiting reaction of the biosynthetic sequence.The fungus Pellicularia filamentosa NRRL 2727, reported to hydroxylate androst-4-ene-3,17-dione at C-19, gave only the products of hydroxylation at C-11α, C-11β, and C-14.