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Synthesis and Content of Polyamines in Bloodstream Trypanosoma brucei *
Author(s) -
BACCHI C. J.,
VERGARA CAROL,
GAROFALO JOANNE,
LIPSCHIK GREGG Y.,
HUTNER S. H.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1979.tb04658.x
Subject(s) - putrescine , spermidine , spermine , trypanosoma brucei , cadaverine , biochemistry , ornithine , polyamine , agmatine , biology , citrulline , arginine , enzyme , amino acid , gene
SYNOPSIS. The sensitive dansyl procedure was used to detect putrescine and spermidine, but not spermine and cadaverine, in pleomorphic Trypanosoma brucei. The polyamines were synthesized in vitro from [ 3 H]ornithine, [ 14 C]arginine and [ 14 C]methionine. Proline, agmatine, and citrulline, but not glutamine, glutamic or pyroglutamic acids, stimulated spermidine formation from [ 14 C]methionine. Putrescine and spermidine synthesis occurred rapidly from ornithine: putrescine synthesis peaked in 0.5 h, spermidine in 1 h. Trypanosoma brucei assimilated exogenous 14 C‐labeled putrescine, spermidine, and spermine; spermidine and spermine were taken up 5 times as rapidly as putrescine. Polyamine syntheses may therefore be a practical target for novel trypanocies.