Mode of Action of Polyamine Analogues on the Growth and Biochemistry of Leishmanial Cells.
Abstract
The relationship between the growth of leisimanial parasites and polyamine biosynthesis was studied. Polyamines, mainly putrescine and spermidine, accumulated in macrophages infected with Leishmania tropica major promastigotes grown in vitro. Similar results were obtained, when tissue of BALB/C mice infected with L. tropica major were examined. A consistent increase in cellular putrescine and spermidine levels was observed in infected skin and spleen. With the accumulation of putrescine, a concomitant increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity was detected in growing leishmanial promastigotes and in macrophages supporting the growth of leishmanial amastigotes. An increase in the activity of ornithine and of S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylases was also observed in Leishmania-infected skin and spleen from BALB/C mice. On the other hand, a temporary increase in polyamine levels and in the activity of the polyamine biosynthetic decarboxylases was noticed in the skin and spleen of leishmania-infected C3H mice.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 15, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA138754
Entities
People
- C. L. Greenblatt
- U. Bachrach