Stabilization of steroid 11-hydroxylation activity ofCunninghamella elegans protoplasts in organic osmotic stabilizers.

Protoplasts ofCunninghamella elegans, showing 11α-, and 11β-hydroxylating ability of Substance S, preserved high transformation activity when dispersed in glucose-enriched, organic osmotic stabilizers. A joint action of polyoxins and 2-deoxy-D-glucose was necessary to prevent regeneration of the cell wall in long-lasting experiments. Stabilized and active, dispersed protoplasts may be an alternative research model for studying the function of the cell wall and intracellular metabolic pool constituents in steroid hydroxylation.