Putrescine is required for the expression of eif-5a in Trichomonas vaginalis

► We determine the effect of inhibition of putrescine biosynthesis on the expression of tveif-5a. ► Inhibition of putrescine biosynthesis with 1,4-diamino-2-butanone decreased the stability of tveif-5a mRNA. ► DAB and cycloheximide treatment reduced the amount of mature TveIF-5A. ► Putrescine but neither spermine nor spermidine rescues the maturation of the TveIF-5A protein. ► Putrescine is required for tveif-5a expression, stability and maturation of TveIF-5A protein.