Mycobacterium smegmatis possesses active genes of polyamine metabolism

Transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of Mycobacterium smegmatis cells were analyzed, so the first evidence of the expression of polyamine metabolism genes was obtained. The presence of both mRNAs and corresponding proteins of polyamine metabolism was demonstrated. The reconstructed polyamine synthesis pathway begins with arginine and leads to putrescine occurrence through agmatine hydrolysis. The enzymes of standard putrescine production pathway through ornithine decarboxylation were not found. The polyamine degradation is probably carried out through y-aminobutyric acid and leads to production of succinic acid that is entering Krebs cycle. Though no polyamines were found in M. smegmatis cells, there is still a probability of their occurrence there. So, they are expectative to be uncovered under stressful or specific conditions, which are yet to be identified.