Dependence of Trichomonas vaginalis upon polyamine backconversion

Trichomonas vaginalis, a urogenital parasite, and its dependence on polyamine backconversion are discussed as is the potential of bis(alkyl) polyamine analogs as antitrichomonad agents. A study has shown that growth of T. vaginalis with DENSpm also brings on polyamine depletion and significant inhibition of growth by a mechanism that involves competition with the transport of spermine and inhibition of SSAT effectively blocking spermidine synthesis. The parasite differs significantly from other eukaryotes in several aspects of its polyamine metabolism. The spermine taken up is backconverted to spermidine through a spermidine:spermine N(super.1)-acetyltransferase (SSAT)/polyamine oxidase-coupled pathway.