Putrescine is an alkaline amine product of which bacterial enzyme?

Putrescine is primarily produced through the decarboxylation of the amino acid ornithine, a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase. This process involves removing the carboxyl group from ornithine, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and producing putrescine as a byproduct.

This pathway is particularly important in various bacteria, especially in anaerobic environments where putrescine can serve as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of polyamines, which are essential for cellular growth and function. The presence of putrescine is also linked to the breakdown of amino acids in the context of microbial metabolism and can influence the pH of the surrounding environment, contributing to the alkaline conditions associated with its production.

The other enzymes mentioned do not produce putrescine as a result of their catalytic activity. Arginine decarboxylase produces agmatine, phenylalanine deaminase leads to the formation of phenylpyruvate, and lysine decarboxylase generates cadaverine. Each of these pathways involves different amino acids and results in distinct products, making ornithine decarboxylase the specific enzyme responsible for putrescine production