Leishmania donovani: Structural insignt in the recognition of C-methylated analogues of spermidine as natural polyamines

• Published in: Molecular biology (New York) Vol. 45; no. 4; pp. 619 - 623
• Main Authors: Mandal, S., Khomutov, M. A., Simonian, A. R., Kochetkov, S. N., Madhubala, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 01-08-2011; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biosynthesis; Human Genetics; Leishmania donovani; Life Sciences; Molecular biology; Molecular Biology of the Cell; Protozoa; Protozoan enzymes; spermidine; leishmaniasis; methylated spermidine analogues
• ISSN: 0026-8933; 1608-3245
• DOI: 10.1134/S002689331104008X

The ability of α-, ν-, γ- and ω-methylated spermidine analogues to restore the growth of
L. donovani
promastigotes that were depleted of putrescine and spermidine was investigated. Only β-methylated spermidine, like natural spermidine, was capable of restoring the growth of
L. donovani
, while the remaining three analogues turned out to be inactive. α-Methylated spermidine is a functionally active spermidine surrogate both in vivo and in vitro, hence this analogue may be considered as an antidote in the host-parasite system, especially in the cases where inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis are used for the therapy of leishmaniasis.