Study of spermine and spermidine effects on Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Polyamine production in different growth conditions and in the presence of interleukin-2.

The role of polyamines during cell growth is still uncertain. Yeast cells possess an amine pathway similar to that described for animal cells. We studied the relationship between growth and polyamine production in yeast cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown under various conditions. Polyamines were determined in homogenates of yeast cells by a rapid enzymatic assay, confirmed by thin-layer chromatography. Polyamine production is dependent on the growth conditions. The effects of spermine, spermidine, and interleukin-2 on yeast cells were investigated. Exogenous polyamines affected the endogenous pathway, and interleukin-2 treatment increase yeast growth and polyamine production.