Polyamines in Acanthamoeba castellanii: presence of an unusually high, osmotically sensitive pool of 1,3-diaminopropane

Cytotoxicity of polyamines to Amoeba proteus: role of polyamine oxidase

It has been shown that oxidation of polyamines by polyamine oxidases can produce toxic compounds (H2O2, aldehydes, ammonia) and that the polyamine oxidase-polyamine system is implicated, in vitro, in the death of several parasites. Using Amoeba proteus as an in vitro model, we studied the cytotoxicity to these cells of spermine, spermidine, their acetyl derivatives, and their hypothetical precursors. Spermine and N1-acetylspermine were more toxic than emetine, an amoebicidal reference drug. Spermine presented a short-term toxicity, but a 48-h contact time was necessary for the high toxicity of spermidine. The uptake by Amoeba cells of the different polyamines tested was demonstrated. On the other hand, a high polyamine oxidase activity was identified in Amoeba proteus crude extract. Spermine (theoretical 100%) and N1-acetylspermine (64%) were the best substrates at pH 9.5, while spermidine, its acetyl derivatives, and putrescine were very poorly oxidized by this enzyme (3-20%). Spermine oxidase activity was inhibited by phenylhydrazine (nil) and isoniazid (approximately 50%). Mepacrine did not inhibit the enzyme activity at pH 8. Neither monoamine nor diamine oxidase activity (approximately 10%) was found. It must be emphasized that spermine, the best enzyme substrate, is the most toxic polyamine. This finding suggests that knowledge of polyamine oxidase specificity can be used to modulate the cytotoxicity of polyamine derivatives. Amoeba proteus was revealed as a simple model for investigation of the connection between cytotoxicity and enzyme activity.

Comparison of polyamine and S-adenosylmethionine contents of growing and encysted Acanthamoeba isolates

We have used High Performance Liquid Chromatography to determine metabolite characteristics of three recent isolates of Acanthamoeba which exhibit cultural characteristics consistent with those of established potential pathogens. Growing amoebae and dormant cysts of these isolates were explored in regard to their qualitative and quantitative intracellular levels of polyamine and S-adenosylmethionine metabolites. The polyamine found in the greatest concentration in the growing cells was 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP), followed by spermidine (SPD). A low level of putrescine was also found in the growing cells. These polyamines significantly decreased in concentration as the amoebae differentiated to cysts. N8-acetylspermidine and acetylspermine were found in both developmental stages while acetylcadaverine was found only in growing amoebae and N1-acetylspermidine only in cysts. Acetylputrescine was present in both stages of two isolates but only in the growing amoebae of the third isolate. Spermine was not detected in any of the isolates. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) were present in growing amoebae but SAM was undetectable or barely detectable in cysts. SAH also decreased in concentration during encystation of two of the isolates to a level comparable to that of the other isolate. The developmental transition from growing amoebae to dormant cysts is characterized metabolically by a threshold adjustment in concentration of SAM, SAH and of the polyamines (esp., DAP and SPD).

Methanocorpusculaceae fam. nov., represented by Methanocorpusculum parvum, Methanocorpusculum sinense spec. nov. and Methanocorpusculum bavaricum spec. nov

Two new methanogenic bacteria, Methanocorpusculum sinense spec. nov. strain DSM 4274 from a pilot plant for treatment of distillery wastewater in Chengdu (Province Sichuan, China), and Methanocorpusculum bavaricum spec. nov. strain DSM 4179, from a wastewater pond of the sugar factory in Regensburg (Bavaria, FRG) are described. Methanocorpusculum strains are weakly motile and form irregularly coccoid cells, about 1 micron in diameter. The cell envelope consists of a cytoplasmic membrane and a S-layer, composed of hexagonally arranged glycoprotein subunits with molecular weights of 90,000 (Methanocorpusculum parvum), 92,000 (M. sinense), and 94,000 (M. bavaricum). The center-to-center spacings are 14.3 nm, 15.8 nm and 16.0 nm, respectively. Optimal growth of strains is obtained in the mesophilic temperature range and at a pH around 7. Methane is produced from H2/CO2, formate, 2-propanol/CO2 and 2-butanol/CO2 by M. parvum and M. bavaricum, whereas M. sinense can only utilize H2/CO2 and formate. Growth of M. sinense and M. bavaricum is dependent on the presence of clarified rumen fluid. The G + C content of the DNA of the three strains is ranging from 47.7-53.6 mol% as determined by different methods. A similar, but distinct polar lipid pattern indicates a close relationship between the three Methanocorpusculum species. The polyamine patterns of M. parvum, M. sinense and M. bavaricum are similar, but distinct from those of other methanogens and are characterized by a high concentration of the otherwise rare 1,3-diaminopropane. Quantitative comparison of the antigenic fingerprint of members of Methanocorpusculum revealed no antigenic relationship with any one of the reference methanogens tested. On the basis of the distant phylogenetic position of M. parvum and the data presented in this paper a new family, the Methanocorpusculaceae fam. nov., is defined.

Polyamine metabolism in Ancylostoma ceylanicum and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis

Spermidine was detected as the major polyamine of Ancylostoma ceylanicum as well as Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Spermine was present in lower amounts whereas the level of putrescine was even less. S-Adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of polyamines, was demonstrated at low levels in both parasites. Decarboxylation of lysine and arginine was absent or negligible and that of ornithine questionable, as the enzyme activity was not inhibited by alpha-difluoromethylornithine while RMI 71,645, an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine aminotransferase, strongly inhibited the liberation of CO2 from ornithine. High activity of ornithine aminotransferase was observed in both the parasites and may interfere with the assay for ornithine decarboxylase. Adults of A. ceylanicum were found to rapidly take up spermidine and spermine from incubation medium while uptake of putrescine was very low. These results indicate that hookworms depend on uptake and interconversion rather than de novo synthesis for their polyamine requirement.

Novel biochemical pathways in parasitic protozoa

Throughout evolution, enzymes and their metabolites have been highly conserved. Parasites are no exception to this and differ most markedly by the absence of metabolic pathways that are present in the mammalian host. In general, parasites are metabolically lazy and rely on the metabolism of the host both for a supply of prefabricated components such as purines, fatty acids, sterols and amino acids and for the removal of end-products. Nonetheless, parasites are metabolically highly sophisticated in that (1) they retain the genetic capacity to induce many pathways, when needed, and (2) they have developed complex mechanisms for their survival in the host. Certain unique features of the metabolism of trypanosomes, leishmania, malaria and anaerobic protozoa will be discussed. This will include (1) glycolysis and electron transport with reference to the unique organelles: the glycosome and the hydrogenosome, (2) purine salvage, pyrimidine biosynthesis and folic acid metabolism and (3) polyamine and thiol metabolism with special reference to the role of the unique metabolite of trypanosomes and leishmanias, trypanothione.

Polyamine metabolism in Acanthamoeba: polyamine content and synthesis of ornithine, putrescine, and diaminopropane

Five polyamines which could be separated by high performance liquid chromatography were found in Acanthamoeba castellanii (strain Neff). These included in order of decreasing abundance: 1,3-diaminopropane, spermidine, spermine, norspermidine, and putrescine. Only diaminopropane and norspermidine had been found previously. Spermine was present in cultures grown in broth, but not in defined medium. Radioactive substrates were used to establish that putrescine was synthesized by decarboxylation of ornithine, ornithine was synthesized from arginine or citrulline, and diaminopropane was synthesized from spermidine. The presence of ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17), arginase (EC 3.5.3.1), and urease (EC 3.5.1.5) and the absence of arginine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.19) were established. A scheme for polyamine biosynthesis in A. castellanii is proposed.

Inhibition of multiplication in Acanthamoeba castellanii by specific inhibitors of ornithine decarboxylase

Proliferation of Acanthamoeba castellanii (Neff strain) in either a broth medium or a defined medium was arrested by alpha-monofluoromethyldehydroornithine (delta-MFMOme), alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), and (R,R')-delta-methyl-alpha-acetylenic putrescine (MAP), three specific inhibitors of ornithine decarboxylase. Although all three inhibited the ameba enzyme, delta-MFMOme was the most effective inhibitor of multiplication. Growth inhibition was reversed by the addition of polyamines. The inhibitors did not induce differentiation by themselves although DFMO caused encystment when supplemented with CaCl2 or MgSO4.

Polyamine metabolism in filarial worms

The human and animal filarial parasites Onchocerca volvulus, Dirofilaria immitis, Brugia patei and Litomosoides carinii contained low levels of putrescine but much higher levels of spermidine and spermine as estimated by ion-pair high pressure liquid chromatography; N-acetylated polyamines were present only in minute amounts. Enzyme activities of ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17) and arginine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.19), respectively, were not detectable. Experiments carried out with O. volvulus and D. immitis demonstrated the uptake and bioconversion of labeled polyamines. There is evidence for the existence of a complete reverse pathway generating putrescine from spermidine and spermine, respectively, in both worms. N-Acetylating enzyme activities were detected in 100,000 X g preparations of homogenates from D. immitis which were capable to acetylate putrescine, spermidine and spermine. Long term incubation of the worms in the presence of labeled polyamines resulted in the excretion of putrescine and N-acetylputrescine.

Putrescine-activated S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase from Acanthamoeba culbertsoni

Acanthamoeba culbertsoni, the free living pathogenic amoeba responsible for fatal meningoencephalitis, contains an S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.50) which is strongly activated by putrescine and to a lesser extent by cadaverine; spermidine, spermine, diaminopropane and 1,6-diaminohexane are inactive. Methylglyoxal bis-(guanylhydrazone) competitively inhibited the enzyme with a Ki value of 123 microM. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by berenil (Ki = 0.5 microM) and to a lesser extent by pentamidine. The putrescine-activated enzyme is inhibited by MgCl2. The apparent molecular weight of 110,000 and its enzymatic properties indicate that the enzyme has characteristics intermediate between the bacterial and eukaryotic S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylases.