Uptake of the polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor α-difluoromethylornithine by the plant pathogenic fungus, Fusarium culmorum

Uptake of [ 14 C]difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) was studied in the plant pathogen, Fusarium culmorum . DFMO uptake was linear and non-saturable over the concentration range examined but was inhibited in the presence of putrescine, spermidine and ornithine, and reduced in the presence of sodium azide. These data may suggest that DFMO uptake into F. culmorum occurred via two processes, one passive and the other possessing an energy requirement.