Identification of the 3-sulfate isomer as the major product of enzymatic sulfation of chenodeoxycholate conjugates.

Thin layer and high performance liquid chromatography identified the 3-monosulfate ester as the predominant product of in vitro enzymatic sulfation of glyco- and taurochenodeoxycholate by rat liver and kidney and hamster liver. The rate of synthesis of the 7-sulfate ester was less than 20% that of the 3-sulfate isomer; in vitro synthesis of the 3,7-disulfate was not definitely seen. Reaction of the enzymatic products with 7 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase indicated a molar ratio of 7 alpha-hydroxyl function and SO4 which further supported the identification of the 3-sulfate isomer as the major product.