I´ve found putrescine transporter in my Rhizobium genome, and I really want to know if polyamines (putrescine mainly) are found in soils or if is only synthetized by bacteria, fungi, plants or animals.
Putrescine is a key polyamine, in all cells (binds to DNA/RNA/Proteins). Too much or too little hinders cellular function and ultimately causes cell death. It therefore is highly regulated, so while putrescine transporter could function to uptake external amines equally it could conceivably be to lower cytoplasmic levels.
As far as I know there is now way to tell genomically. More than one enzyme pathway within the genome might give you a clue. Look for homologues of amine oxidases, and aminotransferase enzymes.
Its worth noting that PUT is found in many habitats as is a primary breakdown product of a couple of amino acids . The rotting smell of gone off food (eg Fish) is putrescine, its also found in everything from urine, manure to fruits so there is a good chance you will find it in soil. Perhaps particularly relevant to your work is PUT is a root exudate.
The soybean pathogen Phytophtora sojae has a free swimming zoospore stage that can acquire putrescine and spermidine. These oomycetes have transporters that cluster with recently characterized plant polyamine uptake transporters (PUTs) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22711282. Release of PAs could come from phage activity. However I suspect that polyamine levels are low because of high levels of transporter activity from a wide range of soil organisms.
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