title: Leishmania infantum: polyamine biosynthesis and levels during the growth of promastigotes.
abstract: 1. Decarboxylation of polyamine precursors: L-ornithine and L-methionine was determined along the growth curve of Leishmania infantum promastigotes in vivo, reaching maximum values on day 2 post-inoculum (mid-logarithmic phase). 2. Maximum values of L-ornithine and L-methionine decarboxylation were: 1.97 +/- 0.28 nmol CO2/hr/10(7) promastigotes and 3.18 +/- 0.34 nmol CO2/hr/10(7) promastigotes, respectively. 3. Total (free + conjugated) polyamine content was closely related with the proliferative stage of Leishmania infantum promastigotes. 4. D,L-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and Berenil depleted putrescine levels in a concentration-dependent manner. 5. Total and free putrescine/spermidine ratio varied significantly with the proliferative stage. Minimum values were found in late logarithmic phase (day 3 post-inoculum). 6. Small but detectable amounts of free spermine were detectable along the growth curve of Leishmania infantum promastigotes.
authors.affiliation: Departamento Fisiología y Farmacología y Toxicología, Ftad, Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balaña-Fouce
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Escribano
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Alunda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003653:Decarboxylation; D004133:Diminazene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D004285:Dogs; D000518:Eflornithine / Q000494:pharmacology; D007893:Leishmania donovani / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D008715:Methionine / Q000378:metabolism; D009952:Ornithine / Q000378:metabolism; D011073:Polyamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D011700:Putrescine / Q000378:metabolism; D013095:Spermidine / Q000378:metabolism; D013096:Spermine / Q000378:metabolism; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D011073:Polyamines; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents; D013096:Spermine; D008715:Methionine; D009952:Ornithine; C003915:diminazene aceturate; D013095:Spermidine; D011700:Putrescine; D004133:Diminazene; D000518:Eflornithine