• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.519-524
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• 1997

Steroid $9{\alpha}$-hydroxylase is an enzyme found in nocardioform microorganisms which can utilize steroids as a sole carbon source. After fractional centrifugation of the cell homogenates, the enzyme activity in Nocardia and Rhodococcus was found in cytoplasmic membrane fraction. On the contrary, Mycobacterium had its 9.alpha.-hydroxylation activity in cytosolic fraction. To characterize the enzyme in these microorganisms, several potential inhibitors of 9.alpha.-hydroxylase were tested and the cofactor requirement for the same enzyme was also examined. The inhibitory effect of ferrous ion chelators indicated involvement of iron containing proteins in the 9.alpha.-hydroxylase system. On the other hand, metyrapone, an inhibitor known to be specific for cytochrome P450 interfered with the enzyme in Mycobacterium, but didn't inhibit the enzyme activity in Nocardia and Rhodococcus. While the $9{\alpha}$-hydroxylase system in Nocardia and Rhodococcus required NADPH, NADH was required as an election donor in Mycobacterium.