The metabolism of cholic acid (I) by Streptomyces rubescens was investigated. This organism effected ring A cleavage, side-chain shortening and amide bond formation and gave the following metabolites: (4R)-4-[4α-(2-carboxyethyl)-3aα-hexahydro-7aβ-methyl-5-oxoindan-1 β-yl]valeric acid (IIa) and its mono-amide (valeramide) (IIb); and 2,3,4,6, 6aβ,7,8,9,9aα,9bβ-decahydro-6aβ-methyl-1H-cyclopenta[f]quinoline-3,7-dione(IIIe)and its homologues with the β-oriented side chains, valeric acid, valeramide, butanone and propionic acid, in the place of the oxo group at C-7, i.e.compounds (IIIa), (IIIb), (IIIc) and (IIId) respectively. All the nitrogenous metabolites were new compounds, and their structures were established by partial synthesis except for the metabolite (IIIc). The mechanism of formation of these metabolites is considered. A degradative pathway of cholic acid (I) into the metabolites is also tentatively proposed.
