Leishmania donovani: Structural insignt in the recognition of C-methylated analogues of spermidine as natural polyamines

The ability of α-, ν-, γ- and ω-methylated spermidine analogues to restore the growth of L. donovani promastigotes that were depleted of putrescine and spermidine was investigated. Only β-methylated spermidine, like natural spermidine, was capable of restoring the growth of L. donovani, while the remaining three analogues turned out to be inactive. α-Methylated spermidine is a functionally active spermidine surrogate both in vivo and in vitro, hence this analogue may be considered as an antidote in the host-parasite system, especially in the cases where inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis are used for the therapy of leishmaniasis.