Ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase and arginine decarboxylase from Mycobacterium bovis (BCG).

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase (AMDC) and arginine decarboxylase (ADC) activities were detected for the first time in extracts of Mycobacterium bovis (BCG). All the decarboxylases differed from corresponding known bacterial decarboxylases in that: a) ODC did not require GTP for activity; b) ODC was not inhibited by any known inhibitor of bacterial ODCs; c) AMDC and ADC did not require Mg2+-ion for activity and were not markedly inhibited by any known inhibitor of the decarboxylases of other bacteria.