POLYAMINES AFFECT ACTIVITY OF AMINOPEPTIDASES FROM LACTOBACILLUS-SAKE

The effects of polyamines (agmatine, cadaverine, putrescine, spermidin e and spermine) on the activity of the main aminopeptidases (AP I and AP II) from Lactobacillus sake were determined. Concentrations in the range of 1 mM caused 6-25% inhibition of AP I except for spermine (45% inhibition). Higher polyamine levels (5-10 mM), except for putrescine , exerted a stronger inhibition (20-60%) on AP I. Agmatine and putresc ine also reduced AP II activity (6-25%) at concentrations of 0.1-10 mM while cadaverine did not have a notable effect. Spermidine and spermi ne stimulated (15-70%) the activity of AP II at concentrations >1 mM. Thus, control of polyamine levels is important because they are a pote ntial hazard for human health and also because of their effects on ami nopeptidase activity.