title: Effects of bis(benzyl)polyamine analogs on Leishmania donovani promastigotes.
abstract: A number of bis(benzyl)polyamine analogs were found to be potent inhibitors of Leishmania donovani growth in vitro (IC50 = 4.3-25 microM). Structural variations appear to have important effects on the biological functions of these analogs. Subinhibitory concentration of all of the analogs with the exception of MDL 27994 could rescue the cells from DL-alpha-difluoromethylornithine toxicity. The analogs inhibited macromolecular synthesis as evaluated by [3H]thymidine, [14C]uracil, and [35S]methionine incorporation. They inhibited the activity of the two enzymes, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC), involved in the biosynthesis of polyamines. These analogs depleted intracellular levels of natural polyamines. We conclude, therefore, that the major mechanism by which these analogs act may be by disruption of macromolecular biosynthesis and cell death. Repression of polyamines by these analogs may be yet another factor involved in slowing the growth of the parasite.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mukhopadhyay
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Madhubala
mesh_terms: D012437:Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007893:Leishmania donovani / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D065108:Ornithine Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D011073:Polyamines / Q000378:metabolism; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016053:RNA, Protozoan / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D065108:Ornithine Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D011073:Polyamines; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D016053:RNA, Protozoan; D012437:Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase