Naftifine: A Topical Allylamine for Superficial Dermatophytosis.

Dermatophytosis is a very common public health problem with high prevalence. Dermatophytes are a highly specialized set of filamentous fungi, which are adapted to keratinized tissues of humans and animals. Dermatophytosis is the most common fungal infection worldwide, affecting approximately 20-25% of the world's population. The etiological agents of dermatophytosis, called dermatophytes, change with geography and socioeconomic status. Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) is the prime species for skin and nail infections followed by T. mentagrophytes/ T. interdigital complex. There is a shift from T. rubrum to T. mentagrophytes in India for superficial fungal infections. In order to deal with fungal infections, treatment strategies involve the use of systemic antifungals and/or topical antifungal agents. Naftifine is a synthetic allylamine antifungal first reported in 1974 and in 1985 became the first commercially available allylamine. The highly lipophilic nature of allylamine allows efficient penetration and reasonably high concentrations in the stratum corneum (SC) and hair follicles. Naftifine is fungicidal as well as fungistatic. The higher efficacy rates of allylamines over imidazoles for the treatment of fungal infections, even for months after cessation of treatment, is thought to be due to their fungicidal effect, as well as to potentially greater keratin binding and slower release from the SC. The effectiveness of naftifine is also demonstrated against various bacteria belonging to both gram-negative and gram-positive classes. The antiinflammatory property of naftifine has been reported in various preclinical studies where it has been shown to target the prostaglandin pathway. Naftifine 1 and 2% gel and cream is approved by The United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), recently naftifine has been approved in India by the Indian regulatory authority Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for the treatment of dermatophytosis. Naftifine 2% also appears to be a promising treatment, requiring fewer applications than the 1% formulation. Naftifine appears to be effective in a single dose and has a shorter treatment duration than azoles. Naftifine demonstrated its efficacy and safety in various clinical studies of tinea infections. Naftifine offers a very useful and promising option for treating dermatophytosis.

Membrane Adaptations and Cellular Responses of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius to the Allylamine Terbinafine.

Cellular membranes are essential for compartmentalization, maintenance of permeability, and fluidity in all three domains of life. Archaea belong to the third domain of life and have a distinct phospholipid composition. Membrane lipids of archaea are ether-linked molecules, specifically bilayer-forming dialkyl glycerol diethers (DGDs) and monolayer-forming glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs). The antifungal allylamine terbinafine has been proposed as an inhibitor of GDGT biosynthesis in archaea based on radiolabel incorporation studies. The exact target(s) and mechanism of action of terbinafine in archaea remain elusive. Sulfolobus acidocaldarius is a strictly aerobic crenarchaeon thriving in a thermoacidophilic environment, and its membrane is dominated by GDGTs. Here, we comprehensively analyzed the lipidome and transcriptome of S. acidocaldarius in the presence of terbinafine. Depletion of GDGTs and the accompanying accumulation of DGDs upon treatment with terbinafine were growth phase-dependent. Additionally, a major shift in the saturation of caldariellaquinones was observed, which resulted in the accumulation of unsaturated molecules. Transcriptomic data indicated that terbinafine has a multitude of effects, including significant differential expression of genes in the respiratory complex, motility, cell envelope, fatty acid metabolism, and GDGT cyclization. Combined, these findings suggest that the response of S. acidocaldarius to terbinafine inhibition involves respiratory stress and the differential expression of genes involved in isoprenoid biosynthesis and saturation.

Colloidal nanocarriers for the enhanced cutaneous delivery of naftifine: characterization studies and in vitro and in vivo evaluations.

In topical administration of antifungals, the drugs should pass the stratum corneum to reach lower layers of the skin in effective concentrations. Thus, the formulation of antifungal agents into a suitable delivery system is important for the topical treatment of fungal infections. Nanosized colloidal carriers have gained great interest during the recent years to serve as efficient promoters of drug penetration into the skin. Microemulsions are soft colloidal nanosized drug carriers, which are thermodynamically stable and isotropic systems. They have been extensively explored for the enhancement of skin delivery of drugs. This study was carried out to exploit the feasibility of colloidal carriers as to improve skin transport of naftifine, which is an allylamine antifungal drug. The microemulsions were formulated by construction of pseudoternary phase diagrams and composed of oleic acid (oil phase), Kolliphor(®) EL or Kolliphor(®) RH40 (surfactant), Transcutol(®) (cosurfactant), and water (aqueous phase). The plain and drug-loaded microemulsions were characterized in terms of isotropy, particle size and size distribution, pH value, refractive index, viscosity, and conductivity. The in vitro skin uptake of naftifine from microemulsions was studied using tape stripping technique in pig skin. The drug penetrated significantly into stratum corneum from microemulsions compared to its marketed cream (P<0.05). Moreover, the microemulsion formulations led to highly significant amount of naftifine deposition in deeper layers of skin than that of commercial formulation (P<0.001). Microemulsion-skin interaction was confirmed by attenuated total reflectance - Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy data, in vitro. The results of the in vivo tape stripping experiment showed similar trends as the in vitro skin penetration study. Topical application of the microemulsion on human forearms in vivo enhanced significantly the distribution and the amount of naftifine penetrated into the stratum corneum as compared to the marketed formulation (P<0.05). The relative safety of the microemulsion formulations was demonstrated with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide viability test. This study indicated that the nanosized colloidal carriers developed could be considered as an effective and safe topical delivery system for naftifine.

Effects of colesevelam on glucose absorption and hepatic/peripheral insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIM: Colesevelam lowers glucose and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study examined the mechanisms by which colesevelam might affect glucose control. METHODS: In this 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects with type 2 diabetes and haemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) ≥7.5% on either stable diet and exercise or sulphonylurea therapy were randomized to colesevelam 3.75 g/day (n = 16) or placebo (n = 14). Hepatic/peripheral insulin sensitivity was evaluated at baseline and at week 12 by infusion of (3) H-labelled glucose followed by a 2-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Two 75-g oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) were conducted at baseline, one with and one without co-administration of colesevelam. A final OGTT was conducted at week 12. HbA(1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels were evaluated pre- and post-treatment. RESULTS: Treatment with colesevelam, compared to placebo, had no significant effects on basal endogenous glucose output, response to insulin or on maximal steady-state glucose disposal rate. At baseline, co-administration of colesevelam with oral glucose reduced total area under the glucose curve (AUC(g)) but not incremental AUC(g). At week 12, neither total AUC(g) nor incremental AUC(g) were changed from pre-treatment values in either group. Post-load insulin levels increased with colesevelam at 30 and 120 min, but these changes in total area under the insulin curve (AUC(i)) and incremental AUC(i) did not differ between groups. Both HbA(1c) and FPG improved with colesevelam, but treatment differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Colesevelam does not affect hepatic or peripheral insulin sensitivity and does not directly affect glucose absorption.

The role of bile acid sequestrants in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to escalate globally. There is now abundant clinical trial evidence that the optimal treatment of CVD risk factors, with lifestyle changes aimed at weight loss in most patients, and pharmacologic management of dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia, can help mitigate the CVD burden. Yet more than 50% of patients are still not achieving glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. Over the past 15 years, many novel and emerging drugs have made it possible to achieve optimal glycemic control, generally in combination therapy, without untoward effects of weight gain, hypoglycemia, and other adverse effects with traditional agents. Although the long-term efficacy and safety of some of the newer classes of agents are yet to be determined, bile acid sequestrants represent a unique long-standing class of agents. These drugs have the dual efficacy in glycemic control and LDL-C reduction, and an established record of long-term safety. Colesevelam HCl is the only drug approved for this dual indication and is an adjunct in the treatment of both hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia that frequently co-exist in adults with T2DM.

Time-dependent metabolic activity and adhesion of human osteoblast-like cells on sensor chips with a plasma polymer nanolayer.

PURPOSE: To improve orthopedic implant ingrowth, knowledge of the effect of chemical surface modifications on vital cell function in vitro is of importance. Early in our investigations we recognized that amino groups, positively charged via plasma polymerized allylamine, increased cell growth and the actin-filament formation in the initial cell-material contact phase. To gain insight into continuous vital cell behavior on this plasma polymer layer, here we present the metabolic activity of osteoblasts and their time-dependent adhesion using the sensor chip technology. METHODS: We demonstrate a new method for continuous 24 hour-measurements with vital human osteoblast-like cells (MG-63, ATCC) on sensor chips (Bionas® SC 1000) modified with plasma polymerized allylamine (PPAAm). The PPAAm film deposited on the chip is a cross-linked, strongly fixed plasma polymer with relatively high amino functionality and well defined chemical surface composition. We assessed continuous cell adhesion and the metabolic activity, i.e., oxygen consumption and acidification. RESULTS: We determined that adhesion of vital cells on PPAAm is not only enhanced shortly (1 h) after cell seeding but remained continuously higher for 24 h, which is significant. This nanometer-thin PPAAm layer did not change the overall metabolic activity of MG-63 cells during 24 h. CONCLUSION: This tool--using adhesion and metabolic sensor chips--appears to be a suitable method for the recognition of vital cell physiology in biocompatibility measurements of plasma chemical treated surfaces.

Bile acid sequestrants and diabetes: introduction and overview to the supplement.

Diabetes is a global epidemic. The recommended goals for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and blood pressure are achieved only in a very small minority of patients. In this supplement to Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, we review the data showing that the bile acid sequestrant colesevelam lowers both HbA1c and LDL-C in patients with diabetes. These data make colesevelam an attractive therapy to get more patients to achieve their LDL-C and HbA1c goals.

Covalent attachment of trypsin on plasma polymerized allylamine.

This paper focuses on the immobilization of a proteolytic enzyme, trypsin, on plasma polymerized allylamine (ppAA) films. The later have been deposited onto silicon substrate by means of radiofrequency glow discharge. The covalent attachment of the enzyme was achieved in three steps: (i) activation of the polymer surface with glutaraldehyde (GA) as a linker, (ii) immobilization of trypsin and (iii) imino groups reduction treatment. The effects and efficiency of each step were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Fluorescent spectroscopy was used to evaluate the change of the biological activity following the immobilization steps. The results showed that enzyme immobilization on GA-modified substrate increases the enzyme activity by 50% comparing to adsorbed enzymes, while the imino reduction treatment improves the enzyme retention by about 30% comparing to untreated samples. In agreement with XPS and AFM data, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, used to quantify the amount of immobilized enzyme, showed that allylamine plasma polymer presents a high adsorption yield of trypsin. Although the adsorbed enzymes exhibit a lower activity than that measured for enzymes grafted through GA linkers, the highest catalytic activity obtained was for the enzymes that underwent the three steps of the immobilization process.

Laser-based patterning for transfected cell microarrays.

The spatial control over biomolecule- and cell-surface interactions is of great interest to a broad range of biomedical applications, including sensors, implantable devices and cell microarrays. Microarrays in particular require precise spatial control and the formation of patterns with microscale features. Here, we have developed an approach specifically designed for transfected cell microarray (TCM) applications that allows microscale spatial control over the location of both DNA and cells on highly doped p-type silicon substrates. This was achieved by surface modification, involving plasma polymerization of allylamine, grafting of poly(ethylene glycol) and subsequent excimer laser ablation. DNA could be delivered in a spatially defined manner using ink-jet printing. In addition, electroporation was investigated as an approach to transfect attached cells with adsorbed DNA and good transfection efficiencies of approximately 20% were observed. The ability of the microstructured surfaces to spatially direct both DNA adsorption and cell attachment was demonstrated in a functional TCM, making this system an exciting platform for chip-based functional genomics.

Characterization of squalene epoxidase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by applying terbinafine-sensitive variants.

Squalene epoxidase (SE) is the target of terbinafine, which specifically inhibits the fungal enzyme in a noncompetitive manner. On the basis of functional homologies to p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase (PHBH) from Pseudomonas fluorescens, the Erg1 protein contains two flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) domains and one nucleotide binding (NB) site. By in vitro mutagenesis of the ERG1 gene, which codes for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SE, we isolated erg1 alleles that conferred increased terbinafine sensitivity or that showed a lethal phenotype when they were expressed in erg1-knockout strain KLN1. All but one of the amino acid substitutions affected conserved FAD/nucleotide binding sites. The G(25)S, D(335)X (W, F, P), and G(210)A substitutions in the FADI, FADII, and NB sites, respectively, rendered the SE variants nonfunctional. The G(30)S and L(37)P variants exhibited decreased enzymatic activity, accompanied by a sevenfold increase in erg1 mRNA levels and an altered sterol composition, and rendered KLN1 more sensitive not only to allylamines (10 to 25 times) but also to other ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors. The R(269)G variant exhibited moderately reduced SE activity and a 5- to 10-fold increase in allylamine sensitivity but no cross-sensitivity to the other ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors. To further elucidate the roles of specific amino acids in SE function and inhibitor interaction, a homology model of Erg1p was built on the basis of the crystal structure of PHBH. All experimental data obtained with the sensitive Erg1 variants support this model. In addition, the amino acids responsible for terbinafine resistance, although they are distributed along the sequence of Erg1p, cluster on the surface of the Erg1p model, giving rise to a putative binding site for allylamines.

Bile acid salt binding with colesevelam HCl is not affected by suspension in common beverages.

It has been previously reported that anions in common beverages may bind to bile acid sequestrants (BAS), reducing their capacity for binding bile acid salts. This study examined the ability of the novel BAS colesevelam hydrochloride (HCl), in vitro, to bind bile acid sodium salts following suspension in common beverages. Equilibrium binding was evaluated under conditions of constant time and varying concentrations of bile acid salts in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). A stock solution of sodium salts of glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDC), taurodeoxycholic acid (TDC), and glycocholic acid (GC), was added to each prepared sample of colesevelam HCl. Bile acid salt binding was calculated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Kinetics experiments were conducted using constant initial bile acid salt concentrations and varying binding times. The affinity, capacity, and kinetics of colesevelam HCl binding for GCDC, TDC, and GC were not significantly altered after suspension in water, carbonated water, Coca-Cola, Sprite, grape juice, orange juice, tomato juice, or Gatorade. The amount of bile acid sodium salt bound as a function of time was unchanged by pretreatment with any beverage tested. The in vitro binding characteristics of colesevelam HCl are unchanged by suspension in common beverages.

Novel genomic targets in oxidant-induced vascular injury.

To study the complex interaction between oxidative injury and the pathogenesis of vascular disease, vascular gene expression was examined in male Sprague-Dawley rats given 35 or 70 mg/kg allylamine, a synthetic amine converted to acrolein and hydrogen peroxide within the vascular wall. Vascular lesions and extensive vascular remodeling, coupled to increased production of 8-epi-PGF2alpha, nuclear localization of NFkappaB, and alterations in glutathione homeostasis, were observed in animals treated with allylamine for up to 20 days. Transcriptional profiling, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization showed that genes involved in adhesion and extracellular matrix (ECM) (alpha(1) integrin, collagen), cytoskeletal rearrangements (alpha-smooth muscle actin, alpha-tropomyosin), and signal transduction (NFkappaB, osteopontin, and LINE) were altered by oxidant treatment. To evaluate mechanisms of gene dysregulation, cultured aortic smooth muscle cells were challenged with allylamine or its metabolites and processed for molecular analysis. These agents increased formation of reactive oxygen species and elicited changes in gene expression similar to those observed in vivo. Oxidative stress and changes in gene expression were inhibited by N-acetyl cysteine, a precursor of glutathione. These results indicate that genes along the ECM-integrin-cytoskeletal axis, in addition to LINE, are molecular targets in oxidant-induced vascular injury.

Highly potent propargylamine and allylamine inhibitors of bovine plasma amine oxidase.

Propargylamine was reported many years ago to be a mechanism-based inhibitor of bovine plasma amine oxidase (BPAO), though the potency was modest and allylamine was a substrate. Herein, selected 3-substituted propargylamines and allylamines were found to be potent time-dependent inactivators of BPAO, exhibiting IC(50) values of 2-13 microM at 30 degrees C, making them the most potent BPAO inhibitors reported to date. The most potent compound, trans-3-chloroallylamine, was previously found not to inhibit the flavin-dependent monoamine oxidase (the cis isomer did), and thus appears to be a highly selective inhibitor.

Colesevelam HCl: a non-systemic lipid-altering drug.

Colesevelam HCl (WelChol, Sankyo Pharmaceuticals Inc.) is a bile acid sequestrant polymer, which has been shown to significantly lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol and favourably affect high-density lipoprotein cholesterol blood levels in monotherapy and in combination with statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors). Although it is similar to other bile acid sequestrants in that it binds bile acids and is non-systemic, colesevelam HCl differs in that it has a unique polymer structure that allows for greater tolerability with less potential drug interactions than with resins. Currently, statins are the most commonly prescribed lipid-altering drugs. However, it is not uncommon that patients demonstrate true or perceived intolerances to statin therapy, that are often dose-related and may include elevations in liver or muscle enzyme blood levels, or myalgias or muscle weakness without muscle enzyme elevation. In rare circumstances, myopathy and even rhabdomyolysis can occur with statins. In addition, many statins also have important potential drug interactions. Finally, statin monotherapy is often not sufficient in achieving lipid treatment goals in many severely dyslipidaemic patients and the availability of colesevelam HCl provides a lipid-altering treatment addition to other lipid-altering drugs. From a clinical perspective, such combination therapy is often required to achieve treatment goals [1] in patients with more complicated or severe dyslipidaemia. Colesevelam HCl may also be an alternative in monotherapy for many patients with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolaemia, as well as in some patients at potential risk from systemic exposure to alternative lipid-altering drugs (such as young children and fertile women).

Effects of cloud-point grafting, chain length, and density of PEG layers on competitive adsorption of ocular proteins.

The effects of pinning density, chain length, and 'cloud point' (CP) versus non-CP grafting conditions have been studied on the ability of polyethylene glycol (PEG) layers to minimize adsorption from a multicomponent (lysozyme, human serum albumin (HSA), IgG and lactoferrin) protein solution. Methoxy-terminated aldehyde-PEG (M-PEG, MW 5000) and dialdehyde-PEG (PEG(ald)2, MW 3400) were grafted by reductive amination onto two surfaces of different amine group density, generated by radiofrequency glow discharge (r.f.g.d.) deposition of n-heptylamine (HA) (low density) or allylamine (AlA) (high density) r.f.g.d. polymer layers. The PEG graft density was varied also by increasing the temperature and salt (K2SO4) content of the grafting solution; it reached a maximum at the CP of the PEGs. The CP reaction conditions were critical for producing PEG layers capable of minimizing protein adsorption. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that under these conditions, PEG(ald)2 produced a thick linear PEG layer, most likely by aldol condensation. Protein adsorption was assessed using XPS and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-MS) in the surface mode (Surface-MALDI-MS). Coatings grafted at non-CP conditions showed some protein adsorption, as did the HA/M-PEG layer grafted at the CP. On the other hand, no protein adsorption was detected on the HA/PEG(ald)2, AlA/M-PEG, and AlA/PEG(ald)2 surfaces when grafted at the CP. Thus, the effects of pinning density and chain length are interrelated, but the key factor is optimization of PEG chain density by use of the CP conditions, provided that a sufficient density of pinning sites exists.

New therapies on the horizon.

Statins have proved to be potent drugs for reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. However, because the response to current statin therapy regimens is not always sufficient to reach defined goal levels, additional drugs to lower LDL-C are needed. New drugs may soon be available to lower LDL-C levels by mechanisms that differ from those of the statins. Among these new agents are a bile acid binding resin, inhibitors of bile acid transport, inhibitors of cholesterol transport, inhibitors of cholesterol esterification, and triglyceride-lowering agents.

A novel cell encapsulation method using photosensitive poly(allylamine alpha-cyanocinnamylideneacetate).

A photosensitive alpha-cyanocinnamylideneacetyl group was coupled to poly(allylamine) to obtain a photosensitive polymer. This photosensitive poly(allylamine alpha-cyanocinnamylideneacetate) can cross-link upon light exposure. Microcapsules were fabricated from alginate in contact with Ca+2 ion, followed by coating with the photosensitive poly(allylamine alpha-cyanocinnamylideneacetate). The microcapsules, thus formed, can be strengthened significantly by the light-induced cross-linking of poly(allylamine alpha-cyanocinnamylideneacetate). Only 16 capsules (out of 50) prepared from the photosensitive poly(allylamine alpha-cyanocinnamylideneacetate) fractured after 48 h of agitation. For microcapsules prepared from the unmodified poly(allylamine), 32 capsules fractured. The photo cross-linked capsular membrane was permeable to cytochrome C, moderately permeable to myoglobin, and least permeable to serum albumin. IW32 (a mouse leukaemia cell line) cells were entrapped and cultured within these microcapsules. The cells proliferated to a density of about 9 x 10(6) cells/ml in the capsules after 7 days of cultivation.

Ketobemidone plus (RS)-3-dimethylamino-1,1-diphenylbut-1-ene (A29) is more potent at NMDA receptors than ketobemidone alone: evidence for A29 as a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist.

The opioid, ketobemidone, has previously been shown to be a non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. In Denmark, ketobemidone is available in a formulation which contains ketobemidone and a spasmolytic compound, (RS)-3-dimethylamino-1,1-diphenylbut-1-ene, hydrochloride (A29), in a one to five ratio. Using in vitro receptor binding techniques and an in vitro electrophysiological preparation consisting of rat cerebral cortex, we have characterized the interaction between A29 and the different glutamate receptor subtypes. A29 selectively inhibited binding of the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist 3H-MK-801 with a Ki value 16 +/- 4.5 microM, but was inactive in assays measuring affinities for other glutamate receptors. In agreement with the binding studies, A29 was found to selectively inhibit responses to NMDA in the rat cortical wedge preparation, whereas responses to kainate and AMPA were unaffected. Analysis of dose response curves showed A29 to be a NMDA receptor antagonist with an IC50 value of 100 microM versus responses to 10 microM NMDA. The inhibitory effects of ketobemidone and A29 on responses to 10 microM NMDA were additive. These data show that the combination of A29 and ketobemidone exert more potent antagonism at the NMDA receptor than does ketobemidone alone.

Action of polyamine aminotransferase on norspermidine.

The norspermidine-pyruvate reaction catalyzed by polyamine aminotransferase from Arthrobacter sp. TMP-1 formed N-3-aminopropyl-3-aminopropionaldehyde (APAPAL), L-alanine, 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP), allylamine, and acrolein, and the relative rates of formation of the latter four products were 24, 3.3, 2.3, and 1.2%, respectively, of the rate of the DAP-pyruvate transamination. The identification of APAPAL was done by 13C-NMR after it had been enzymatically oxidized to N-3-aminopropyl-beta-alanine followed by isolation of the oxidized product. The DAP was also isolated and identified by 13C-NMR. The allylamine and acrolein were identified by HPLC and a specific color reaction with m-aminophenol, respectively. In the absence of pyruvate, the enzyme catalyzed the elimination of DAP from norspermidine to yield allylamine, and the addition of DAP to allylamine to yield norspermidine with relative rates of 0.007 and 0.095%, respectively. When allylamine was incubated with the enzyme as the sole substrate, it was converted to N-allyl-1,3-diaminopropane and an unidentified product.