The 11alpha and 17alpha-progesterone hydroxylases of Rhizopus nigricans NRRL 1477.

Differential induction of cultures of Rhizopus nigricans indicated that hydroxylation of progesterone at the 11alpha- and 17alpha-positions is due to two separate enzymes. This is supported by the finding that 11alpha- and 17alpha-hydroxylating activities are separated by differential centrigufation of cell-free extracts. The feasibility of introducing a hydroxyl group at the 11alpha- or 17alpha-position of hydroxylated progesterone derivatives was tested.