The reaction takes place in the opposite direction. Part of a bacterial polyamine biosynthesis pathway. L-aspartate 4-semialdehyde and propane-1,3-diamine/putrescine form a Schiff base that is reduced to form carboxynorspermidine/carboxyspermidine, respectively [1]. The enzyme from the bacterium Vibrio cholerae is essential for biofilm formation [2]. The enzyme from Campylobacter jejuni only produces carboxyspermidine in vivo even though it also can produce carboxynorspermidine in vitro [3].
Purification and some properties of carboxynorspermidine synthase participating in a novel biosynthetic pathway for norspermidine in Vibrio alginolyticus.
Hanfrey CC, Pearson BM, Hazeldine S, Lee J, Gaskin DJ, Woster PM, Phillips MA, Michael AJ
Title
Alternative spermidine biosynthetic route is critical for growth of Campylobacter jejuni and is the dominant polyamine pathway in human gut microbiota.