[20alpha- and 20beta-reduction of steroids by immobilized enzyme preparations and Bacillus megaterium cells].

Cells of Bacillus megaterium immobilized due to incorporation into polyacrylamide gel retained their viability. They differed significantly in their enzymic activity from free cells: 20alpha- and 20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activites were substantially decreased and they also showed the capacity to synthesize significant quantities of a new derivative and to destruct steroids. Immobolized protein fractions maintained 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities but their specific activites were lower than those of native protein fractions. It is suggested that the synthesis of new compounds was induced by acrylamide that was bound during polymerization.