Metabolism of amines. 2. The oxidation of natural polyamines by Mycobacterium smegmatis

Abstract

Spermine and spermidine were oxidized by cells of Mycobacterium smegmatis. The oxidation was enhanced by the incorporation of spermine into the culture medium. Spermidine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, propane -1,3 -diamine and [beta]-alanine were found to be intermediates in the oxidation of spermine by freeze-dried cells. Cells of M. smegmatis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa degraded gamma-aminobutyric acid and [beta]-alanine by transamination with the formation of succinic and malonic semialdehydes. The semialdehydes were further oxidized to succinate and malonate by freeze-dried cells of M. smegmatis. Semicarbazide and isonicotinic acid hydrazide inhibited the oxidation of spermine by M. smegmatis. Dihydro-streptomycin did not affect the oxidation of putrescine. The possibility of a general pathway for the bacterial degradation of spermine and spermidine is discussed.