Abstract
The interconversion of polyamines in the parasite nematode Ascaris suum by a novel type of polyamine oxidase was demonstrated. The nematode enzyme was clearly distinguishable from monoamine and diamine oxidases as well as from the mammalian polyamine oxidase, as shown by the use of the specific inhibitors pargyline, aminoguanidine and MDL 72527 respectively. All three inhibitors had no effect on the parasite polyamine oxidase, and the enzyme did not accept diamines such as putrescine, cadaverine or histamine as substrates. The parasite polyamine oxidase selectively oxidizes spermine and spermidine but not N-acetylated polyamines, whereas the mammalian tissue-type polyamine oxidase shows preference for the N-acetylated polyamines. These results suggest a regulatory function of the nematode polyamine oxidase in the degradation and interconversion of polyamines in parasite nematodes. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by gel filtration, preparative isoelectric focusing and subsequent affinity chromatography on spermine- and berenil-Sepharose 4B. With respect to reaction type, the prosthetic group FAD, the molecular mass (66 kDa) and the contents of thiol and carbonyl groups, the polyamine oxidase from A. suum is similar to the isofunctional enzyme of mammalian tissue.