Polyamine biosynthesis in Phytomonas: biochemical characterisation of a very unstable ornithine decarboxylase.

The metabolism of polyamines as well as their functions as growth regulators in plants have been extensively studied for many years. However, almost nothing is known about the biosynthesis and roles of these substances in Phytomonas spp., parasites of several plants.

Lack of arginine decarboxylase in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes.

The presence of arginine decarboxylase (ADC) enzymatic activity in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes is still a matter of controversy due to conflicting results published during the last few years. We have investigated whether arginine might indeed be a precursor of putrescine via agmatine in these parasites. We have shown that wild-type T.