title: Spermidine or spermine is essential for the aerobic growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
abstract: A null mutation in the SPE2 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, encoding S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, results in cells with no detectable S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, spermidine, and spermine. This mutant has an absolute requirement for spermidine or spermine for growth; this requirement is not satisfied by putrescine. Polyamine-depleted cells show a number of microscopic abnormalities that are similar to those reported for several cell division cycle (cdc) and actin mutants. These include a striking increase in cell size, a marked decrease in budding, accumulation of vesicle-like bodies, absence of specific localization of chitin-like material, and abnormal distribution of actin-like material. The absolute requirement for polyamines for growth and the microscopic abnormalities are not seen if the cultures are grown under anaerobic conditions.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Balasundaram
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Tabor
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tabor
mesh_terms: D012437:Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D000332:Aerobiosis; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D013095:Spermidine / Q000502:physiology*; D013096:Spermine / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D013096:Spermine; D012437:Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase; D013095:Spermidine