Polyamine biosynthetic enzymes as drug targets in parasitic protozoa.

Abstract

Molecular, biochemical and genetic characterization of ornithine decarboxylase, S -adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and spermidine synthase establishes that these polyamine-biosynthetic enzymes are essential for growth and survival of the agents that cause African sleeping sickness, Chagas' disease, leishmaniasis and malaria. These enzymes exhibit features that differ significantly between the parasites and the human host. Therefore it is conceivable that exploitation of such differences can lead to the design of new inhibitors that will selectively kill the parasites while exerting minimal, or at least tolerable, effects on the parasite-infected patient.

• Authors: O Heby, S C Roberts, B Ullman
• Journal: Biochemical Society transactions (Biochem Soc Trans) Vol. 31 Issue 2 Pg. 415-9 (Apr 2003) ISSN: 0300-5127 [Print] England
• PMID: 12653650 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review)

Chemical References

• Biogenic Polyamines
• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Ornithine Decarboxylase Inhibitors
• Protozoan Proteins

Topics

• Animals
• Biogenic Polyamines (antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis)
• Enzyme Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Eukaryota (drug effects)
• Humans
• Ornithine Decarboxylase Inhibitors
• Protozoan Infections (drug therapy)
• Protozoan Proteins (antagonists & inhibitors)