Purification and characterization of extracellular polyamine oxidase produced by Penicillium sp. no. PO-1

An extracellular polyamine oxidase produced by Penicillium sp. No. PO-1 was completely purified using the chromatofocusing method with a very high yield (93%) of the activity. The enzyme was composed of two identical subunits (Mr 64 000) and contained FAD. The optimal pH for activity was approx. 4.0. The enzyme oxidized spermidine and spermine. Km and Vmax values for spermidine were respectively 8.2 microM and 16.4 mumol H2O2/mg protein per min. Corresponding values for spermine were 5.3 microM and 13.3 mumol H2O2/mg protein per min. The enzyme attacked the secondary amino group of spermidine and spermine, and produced putrescine, 3-aminopropionaldehyde and H2O2. The enzyme activity was completely inhibited by phenylhydrazine. However, sulfhydryl reagents showed no effect on the activity. It is expected that the enzyme will be useful in determining the amount of polyamine in body fluids.