Steroid beta-D-glucosidase in steer liver and kidney.

Homogenates of liver and kidney tissue from young steers had beta-D-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) activity toward 17alpha-estradiol-3-glucoside, 17beta-estradiol-3-glucoside, 17alpha-estradiol-17-glucoside, and deoxycorticosterone-21-glucoside. The activity towards the phenolic 3-glucosides was largely present in the 100 000 X g supernatant, while that towards 17alpha-estradiol-17-glucoside was concentrated in the microsomes. The use of beef liver preparations for the hydrolysis of steroid 'glucuronide' fractions could result in hydrolysis of other steroid glycosides which might be present.