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

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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.