Inhibition of growth of Mycoplasma dispar by DL-alpha-difluoromethyllsine, a selective irreversible inhibitor of lysine decarboxylase, and reversal by cadaverine (1,5-diaminopentane).

DL-alpha-Difluoromethyllysine was shown to be a potent inhibitor of lysine decarboxylase from Mycoplasma dispar. The inhibition appeared to be specific since neither difluoromethylornithine nor difluoromethylarginine, known to inhibit other decarboxylases, inhibited the reaction catalyzed by lysine decarboxylase in extracts of M. dispar. Inhibition was irreversible since extensive dialysis could not overcome the inhibitory effect exerted by difluoromethyllysine. Difluoromethyllysine (1 mM) also totally blocked the growth of M. dispar when added at the beginning of the growth period, while 1 mM cadaverine, the product of the reaction, reversed this inhibitory effect when added to the culture medium. When difluoromethyllysine was added during the logarithmic growth phase of Mycoplasma, it inhibited the increase of the growth; 1 mM cadaverine again partially reversed this inhibitory action.