Open AccessEffect of mycoplasma on polyamine synthesis and levels in NIH 3T3 cells and in cells transformed by Rous sarcoma virus
Author(s) -
Pakala Rajbabu,
Laskov Reuven,
Rottem Shlomo,
Bachrach Uriel
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1988.tb02757.x
Subject(s) - rous sarcoma virus , putrescine , cadaverine , ornithine decarboxylase , 3t3 cells , biology , polyamine , mycoplasma , cell culture , microbiology and biotechnology , virus , virology , biochemistry , enzyme , transfection , genetics
Infecting NIH 3T3 cells with different species of mycoplasmas resulted only in a slight decrease in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and in the appearance of cadaverine in the infected cells. Similarly, the presence of mycoplasma in NIH 3T3 cells infected with a temperature‐sensitive mutant of Rous Sarcoma virus did not bring about any significant changes either in the pattern of ODC activity or in putrescine levels, when transferred to the permissive temperature. This indicates that mycoplasmal contamination of cultures may not significantly change the putrescine metabolism in host cells. On the other hand, the presence of cadaverine in cultured cells may be attributed to contamination by mycoplasma.