Polyamines in Entamoeba invadens

The polyamine content of Entamoeba was measured by a procedure that involved benzoylation followed by high performance liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.). A high concentration of putrescine and significant amounts of spermidine and spermine were found in actively growing trophozoites and in the cyst forms of the organism. In contrast, trophozoites in stationary phase had greatly reduced amounts of putrescine and exhibited peaks in h.p.l.c., possibly indicative of acetylated polyamines. alpha-D,L-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) lowered the concentration of polyamines in growing trophozoites, but did not inhibit the degree of proliferation. There is evidence for pathways of polyamine biosynthesis in Entamoeba other than through ornithine decarboxylase (ODC).