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The X-ray crystallographic study of the conformation of Z-DNA which bound to polyamine for the minor groove at room temperature and low temperature.

We succeeded in x-ray crystal analysis of d(CG)3 with N1-{2-[(2-amino-ethylamino)-ethylamino]-ethyl}-ethane-1,2-diamine complex at three conditions (1: room temperature 2: low temperature 3: highly salt condition). At room temperature two polyamines took extended form and bound to minor groove of d(CG)3, at low temperature two polyamines took U-shape form and lied in minor groove of d(CG)3, at highly salt condition two polyamines took fishhook form and one polyamine lied in upper side of minor groove and the other polyamine lied in down side of minor groove of d(CG)3.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

Role of polyamines in expression of the differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes: effect of DL-alpha-hydrazino-delta-aminovaleric acid (DL-HAVA), an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, on chondrocytes treated with parathyroid hormone.

Previously, it was demonstrated that parathyroid hormone (PTH) induces a series of events, successive increases of the level of cyclic AMP, the activity of ornithine decarboxylase [ODC; EC 4.1.1.17] and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, a characteristic chondrocyte phenotype, in rabbit costal chondrocytes in culture. Cyclic AMP analogues also increase ODC activity and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in these cells. Therefore, in the present work, the role of polyamines in expression of the differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes was investigated. DL-alpha-Hydrazino-delta-aminovaleric acid (DL-HAVA), a potent inhibitor of ODC, inhibited the increase in polyamine levels of quiescent cultures of chondrocytes treated with PTH. DL-HAVA also inhibited stimulation of expression of the differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes by PTH, as judged by decreases in glycosaminoglycan synthesis and metachromasia on toluidine blue staining. Similarly, DL-HAVA inhibited stimulation of expression of the differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. The inhibitory effect on expression of the differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes by DL-HAVA was effectively diminished by addition of polyamines. Under the same conditions, PTH, DL-HAVA, or polyamines had little effect on DNA synthesis. These findings suggest that the rise in polyamine levels induced by PTH, which is mediated by an increase of cyclic AMP concentration, is essential for expression of the differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes.

Animals↗

Unusual polyamines in slime molds Physarum polycephalum and Dictyostelium discoideum.

We analyzed the cellular contents of not only major polyamines but also minor polyamines in slime molds Physarum polycephalum and Dictyostelium discoideum. The presence of putrescine and spermidine in either plasmodia or myxamoebae of these molds as major polyamines was confirmed. In addition to these polyamines, appreciable amounts of 1,3-diaminopropane were detected in P. polycephalum and D. discoideum. Cadaverine and sym-homospermidine were detected in P. polycephalum even when the slime mold was cultured in a chemically defined growth medium. Spermine was not detected when these molds were grown in synthetic media. Other "unusual" polyamines such as norspermidine, norspermine, thermospermine, aminopropylcadaverine, and canavalmine were not detected in either mold.

Cadaverine↗

Maternal nutrient restriction reduces concentrations of amino acids and polyamines in ovine maternal and fetal plasma and fetal fluids.

Amino acids and polyamines are essential for placental and fetal growth, but little is known about their availability in the conceptus in response to maternal undernutrition. We hypothesized that maternal nutrient restriction reduces concentrations of amino acids and polyamines in the ovine conceptus. This hypothesis was tested in nutrient-restricted ewes between Days 28 and 78 (experiment 1) and between Days 28 and 135 (experiment 2) of gestation. In both experiments, ewes were assigned randomly on Day 28 of gestation to a control group fed 100% of National Research Council (NRC) nutrient requirements and to an nutrient-restricted group fed 50% of NRC requirements. Every 7 days beginning on Day 28 of gestation, ewes were weighed and rations adjusted for changes in body weight. On Day 78 of gestation, blood samples were obtained from the uterine artery and umbilical vein for analysis. In experiment 2, nutrient-restricted ewes on Day 78 of gestation either continued to be fed 50% of NRC requirements or were realimented to 100% of NRC requirements until Day 135. Fetal weight was reduced in nutrient-restricted ewes at both Day 78 (32%) and Day 135 (15%) compared with controls. Nutritional restriction markedly reduced (P < 0.05) concentrations of total alpha-amino acids (particularly serine, arginine-family amino acids, and branched-chain amino acids) and polyamines in maternal and fetal plasma and in fetal allantoic and amniotic fluids at both mid and late gestation. Realimentation of nutrient-restricted ewes increased (P < 0.05) concentrations of total alpha-amino acids and polyamines in all the measured compartments and prevented intrauterine growth retardation. These novel findings demonstrate that 50% global nutrient restriction decreases concentrations of amino acids and polyamines in the ovine conceptus that could adversely impact key fetal functions. The results have important implications for understanding the mechanisms responsible for both intrauterine growth retardation and developmental origins of adult disease.

Amino Acids↗

Effects of hyperprolactinemia on ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine levels in seminal vesicles of genetically prolactin-deficient adult dwarf mice.

Prolactin (PRL) has been shown to exert many different actions in various biological systems. Polyamines are known to influence the growth and function of the seminal vesicles (SV). Furthermore, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is considered a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of polyamines and is regulated by PRL in certain target tissues. Adult Ames dwarf mice (df/df), genetically deficient in PRL, were used for this study. The experimental groups were as follows: Group 1, pituitary-grafted; Group 2, sham-operated; Group 3, castrated + testosterone propionate (TP)-treated (25 micrograms/mouse, 3 times/wk, s.c.) + grafted; and Group 4, castrated + TP as above. The animals were killed 40 days later, and polyamines and ODC activity in SV and liver were determined. Serum PRL, FSH, and testosterone (T) were also measured. In the grafted groups, there were significant elevations in serum PRL and FSH levels. In the gonad-intact, pituitary-grafted group, animals exhibited an elevation in plasma T levels, and similar levels were achieved in the castrated, androgen-replaced groups. In hyperprolactinemic mice, the weights of SV were significantly greater than in the corresponding control groups. The relative weights of the SV showed a similar pattern. An increase in ODC activity was observed in both SV and liver in hyperprolactinemic groups. In those animals in which serum T levels were held constant, an increase in the enzyme activity in SV was detected in hyperprolactinemic group whereas in liver, no significant difference was observed. Concentrations of polyamines in the SV were increased in hyperprolactinemic, castrated, TP-treated mice. The present results indicate that PRL can exert a direct stimulatory effect on the growth, ODC activity, and polyamine levels in the SV.

Animals↗

Role of polyamines and prostaglandins in gastroprotective action of epidermal growth factor against ethanol injury.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) exhibits its gastroprotective action against a variety of irritants and ulcerogens and plays an important role in healing of acute and chronic gastroduodenal ulcerations, but the mechanisms of these effects are not known. The present study was undertaken to determine whether polyamines (such as spermine or putrescine) and prostaglandins (PGs), which also show protective properties, contribute to the gastroprotective effect of EGF against ethanol injury in rats. It was found that both EGF and polyamines significantly and dose-dependently prevented the formation of gastric lesions induced by absolute ethanol, the effect being similar to that obtained with 16,16-dimethylprostaglandin E2. Pretreatment with indomethacin failed to affect the gastroprotective action of EGF and polyamines, suggesting that endogenous PGs may not play any major role in this protection. Our finding that the protective effect of EGF can be abolished by pretreatment with DFMO, an inhibitor of the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, suggests that gastroprotection by EGF is due, at least in part, to stimulation of biosynthesis of protective polyamines.

16,16-Dimethylprostaglandin E2↗

Polyamine profiles in human milk, infant artificial formulas, and semi-elemental diets.

Using a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method, we quantified the concentration of polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) in human milk as well as in a representative group of commonly used artificial infant formulas. Variations in polyamine levels were also analyzed in human milk during the immediate postnatal period. During the first week postpartum, putrescine levels in human milk remained very low and varied little, while spermidine and spermine concentrations rose markedly during the first 3 days, reaching plateau levels that were 12 and eight times higher, respectively, than the values measured on day 0. The mean total polyamine concentration was 557 +/- 18 nmol/dl with the following profile: spermine, 313 +/- 16; spermidine, 220 +/- 20; and putrescine, 24 +/- 3.5. In artificial powdered formulas, the polyamine concentration was approximately 10 times lower than in human milk, with no difference in putrescine and spermine contents between first-age and second-age formulas. By contrast, semi-elemental diets prepared by hydrolytic procedures using crude extracts of pancreatic enzymes were shown to be major sources of polyamines with a profile similar to that of human milk. Compared with first-age formulas, mean concentrations in spermine and spermidine were 39 and six times higher, respectively, in these semi-elemental diets, whereas putrescine levels remained almost equivalent in all types of milk tested. These data indicate that human milk and some semi-elemental diets provide substantial amounts of spermine and spermidine to neonates and infants that could potentially modulate intestinal maturation.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Polyamines in human and rat milk influence intestinal cell growth in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Polyamines are required for intestinal growth and development. In this study, we examined whether milk can supply the polyamines needed for growth of IEC-6 cells, a line on non-transformed rat intestinal crypt cells. METHODS: Human, bovine, and rat milk, and cow's milk-based infant formula were studied. Human, bovine, and rat milk were defatted and sterilized by filtration. IEC-6 cells were stabilized in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing 0.5% fetal bovine serum, 5 mM L-glutamine, 100 U/mL penicillin and 100 microg/mL streptomycin for 24 h at 37 degrees C. Thereafter, to initiate active growth, cells were placed in fresh DMEM containing 5% FBS (plus the other ingredients) supplemented with 5% (vol/vol) milk or infant formula. In some experiments, cells were also treated with difluoromethylornithine (2.5 mM) (DFMO), an inhibitor of polyamine synthesis, or dialyzed milk plus DFMO. After 44 hours of culture, cells were pulsed with 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) for 4 hours, harvested and the radioactivity incorporated into DNA was measured. RESULTS: Human and rat milk stimulated proliferation of IEC-6 cells (p < 0.05 compared to controls); addition of DFMO did not reverse the stimulatory effect. Bovine milk and the infant formula did not stimulate proliferation or prevent the growth inhibition induced by DFMO. After dialysis, human milk had less ability to reverse the DFMO inhibition (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These experiments suggest that both human and rat milk, but neither bovine milk nor the infant formula, contain sufficient bioactive polyamines to sustain cell growth during inhibition of polyamine synthesis.

Animals↗

Attenuation of brain edema, blood-brain barrier breakdown, and injury volume by ifenprodil, a polyamine-site N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, after experimental traumatic brain injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been shown to induce a significant change in polyamine metabolism. Polyamines and polyamine-dependent calcium influx play an important role in mediating the effects of excitotoxic amino acids at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor site. We studied the effects of ifenprodil, known as a noncompetitive inhibitor of polyamine sites at the NMDA receptor, on brain edema formation, blood-brain barrier breakdown, and volume of injury after TBI. METHODS: Experimental TBI was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by a controlled cortical impact device, functioning at a velocity of 3 m/s to produce a 2-mm deformation. Ifenprodil or saline (10 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally immediately after the cortical impact injury and then every 90 minutes until 6 hours after TBI. Blood-brain barrier breakdown was evaluated quantitatively 6 hours after injury by fluorometric assay of Evans blue extravasation. Brain water content, an indicator of brain edema, was measured with the wet-dry method 24 hours after TBI. Injury volume was quantitated from the brain slices stained with 2% cresyl violet solution 7 days after TBI. RESULTS: Blood-brain barrier breakdown was significantly lower in the traumatic cortex of the ifenprodil-treated group than in the saline-treated group (84.4 +/- 26.8 microg/g versus 161.8 +/- 27 microg/g, respectively, P < 0.05). Brain edema was significantly reduced in the cortex of the ifenprodil-treated group relative to that in the saline-treated group (80.9 +/- 0.5% versus 82.4 +/- 0.6% respectively, P < 0.05). Ifenprodil treatment reduced injury volume significantly (14.9 +/- 8.1 mm3 versus 24.4 +/- 6.7 mm3, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The polyamine-site NMDA receptor antagonist ifenprodil affords significant neuroprotection in a controlled cortical impact brain injury model and may hold promise for the discovery and treatment of the mechanism of delayed neurological deficits after TBI.

Animals↗

Polyamines inhibit both platelet aggregation and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa activation.

Platelet aggregation is inhibited by the polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine. To date, the mechanism of action has not been clearly identified. Evidence suggests that polyamines may interact with the fibrinogen receptor (GP IIb/IIIa), interfering with platelet-platelet attachment. The effect of polyamines on human platelet aggregation and GP IIb/IIIa activation was evaluated. For the aggregation experiments, platelets were obtained from heparin- or citrate-collected blood. Our results indicate that the polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine cause a dose-dependent inhibition of ADP- or collagen-mediated platelet aggregation with an order of potency spermine>spermidine>putrescine. In addition, spermine arrests or inhibits thrombin-, epinephrine-, arachidonate-, or ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation. Expression of platelet membrane glycoproteins IIb, IIIa, and IX is not reduced by polyamines. However, spermine inhibits the ADP- or thrombin-induced activation of GP IIb/IIIa. It is concluded that the final step in aggregation, common to all agonists, ie, fibrinogen binding to GP IIb/IIIa, is inhibited by spermine through inhibition of the agonist-induced activation of GP IIb/IIIa that precedes fibrinogen-ligand binding.

Biogenic Polyamines↗

Phylogenetic diversity, polyamine pattern and DNA base composition of members of the order Planctomycetales.

The 16S rDNA sequences of 20 novel isolates of members of the order Planctomycetales were compared to those of the type strains of described planctomycete species and 22 planctomycete isolates for which the 16S rDNA sequences had been previously determined. The novel isolates could be assigned to several phylogenetically broad groups, four of which are defined by the genera Gemmata, Isosphaera, Planctomyces and Pirellula. To evaluate polyamines as a chemotaxonomic marker within this order, the polyamine pool was determined for six planctomycete reference species and for 20 planctomycete isolates. All analysed members of the order Planctomycetales contained significant amounts of polyamines. sym-Homospermidine (HSPD) is present in all strains except Planctomyces limnophilus and related strains, which had high amounts of putrescine (PUT) as the dominant polyamine component. The distribution of PUT, HSPD and spermidine reflects the phylogenetic diversity within the Planctomycetales as closely related representatives of the phylogenetic groups defined by described species and novel isolates exhibit similar polyamine patterns. Determination of the DNA base composition revealed G + C contents of > 60 mol% for members of Gemmata and Isosphaera whereas, except for two isolates, strains which are phylogenetically associated with Planctomyces and Pirellula had G + C contents of 51-57 mol%.

Bacteria↗

Different modes of inhibition by adamantane amine derivatives and natural polyamines of the functionally reconstituted influenza virus M2 proton channel protein.

The influenza virus M2 protein, target of the antiviral drugs amantadine and rimantadine, forms a proton channel which functions during virus uncoating and maturation by modifying the pH in virions as well as in trans-Golgi vesicles. We studied the influence of different ionic gradients on the inhibition of the proton translocation activity of isolated, baculovirus-expressed M2 protein reconstituted into liposomes. Two distinct patterns of inhibition were observed. A group of amphiphilic amines including amantadine, cyclooctylamine and rimantadine inhibited M2 effectively in the presence of physiological Na+ concentrations. The 10-fold greater activity of rimantadine over amantadine and the 100-fold stronger effect of cyclooctylamine compared to cyclopentylamine matched the relative activities in influenza virus-infected cells. A completely different inhibitory pattern emerged for the polyamines spermine, spermidine and putrescine. Polyamines have recently been identified as the 'intrinsic' rectifiers of a class of potassium channels and shown to interact with acidic amino acid residues lining and flanking the channel pore. In the presence of a physiological Na+/K+ gradient their minimal inhibitory concentrations for influenza virus M2 protein were 100, 400 and 500 microM, polyamine levels reported to exist in oocytes. In conditions depleted for Na+, polyamines inhibited M2 at concentrations two to three orders of magnitude lower. The data suggest that influenza virus M2 protein possesses a binding site for polyamines, distinct from the amantadine binding site, which is normally masked by Na+ and which could be targeted by selective antiviral inhibitors.

Adamantane↗

Dependence of Trichomonas vaginalis upon polyamine backconversion.

Trichomonas vaginalis grown for 16 h in the presence of [(14)C]spermine formed a high intracellular pool of [(14)C]spermidine and a small but detectable pool of [(14)C]putrescine. When [(3)H]putrescine was added to the growth medium, a large intracellular pool of [(3)H]putrescine was found, but it was not further metabolized, confirming previous studies suggesting the absence of a forward-directed polyamine synthetic pathway in T. vaginalis. Spermidine:spermineN:(1)-acetyltransferase (SSAT) and polyamine oxidase enzyme activities were detected which collectively converted spermine to spermidine. Polyamine oxidase was localized in the hydrogenosome-enriched fraction, whereas SSAT was found predominantly in the cytosolic fraction. In the presence of saturating substrate, the trichomonad SSAT had an activity of 0. 39+/-0.09 nmol min(-1) (mg protein)(-1) (the mean of five analyses) and an apparent K:(m) for spermine of 1.7 microM. The enzyme was competitively inhibited by di(ethyl)norspermine with a K:(i) of 28 microM. Growth studies indicated that 50 microM di(ethyl)norspermine caused a 68% and 84% reduction in the intracellular concentrations of spermidine and spermine, respectively. The trichomonad polyamine oxidase required FAD as a cofactor and had an apparent K:(m) of 6.0 microM for N(1)-acetylspermine. The potential of bis(alkyl) polyamine analogues as antitrichomonad agents is discussed.

Acetyltransferases↗

Polyamines in plant physiology.

The diamine putrescine, the triamine spermidine, and the tetramine spermine are ubiquitous in plant cells, while other polyamines are of more limited occurrence. Their chemistry and pathways of biosynthesis and metabolism are well characterized. They occur in the free form as cations, but are often conjugated to small molecules like phenolic acids and also to various macromolecules. Their titer varies from approximately micromolar to more than millimolar, and depends greatly on environmental conditions, especially stress. In cereals, the activity of one of the major polyamine biosynthetic enzymes, arginine decarboxylase, is rapidly and dramatically increased by almost every studied external stress, leading to 50-fold or greater increases in putrescine titer within a few hours. The physiological significance of this increase is not yet clear, although most recent work suggests an adaptive, protective role. Polyamines produced through the action of ornithine decarboxylase, by contrast, seem essential for DNA replication and cell division. The application of exogenous polyamines produces effects on patterns of senescence and morphogenesis, suggesting but not proving a regulatory role for polyamines in these processes. The evidence for such a regulatory role is growing.

Aging↗

Ornithine decarboxylase activity is inhibited by epidermal polyamine-dependent protein kinase-mediated phosphorylation.

Polyamine-dependent protein kinase in cytosol of pig epidermal cells was extracted. The fraction containing this enzyme exhibited multiple polypeptide bands on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, including 4 major polypeptide bands and several minor polypeptide bands. A 80 kilodalton (KD) polypeptide, one of the minor polypeptide bands, was phosphorylated by polyamine-dependent protein kinase. Authentic ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) exogenously added was separated into 2 subunits (80 KD and 40 KD) on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a 80 KD polypeptide was also phosphorylated by polyamine-dependent protein kinase. A 80 KD polypeptide of ODC comigrated with the polypeptide of cytosol which was phosphorylated by polyamine-dependent protein kinase. Kinetic study revealed that the ODC activity decreased as ODC was phosphorylated. Therefore, ODC activity was inhibited by epidermal polyamine-dependent protein kinase-mediated phosphorylation. The overall results indicate that the rapid turnover of ODC might be regulated by a phosphorylation-dephosphorylation reaction without new protein synthesis.

Animals↗

Cutaneous polyamines in psoriasis.

The polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine are intimately associated with cellular growth and division. Previous studies of the polyamines and their rate limiting biosynthetic enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase, in psoriasis have shown significant changes compared with non-psoriatic skin. We have further studied cutaneous polyamines in patients with psoriasis and in normal subjects, epidermal shave biopsies were taken and assayed for ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine levels. Psoriasis lesions showed increased ornithine decarboxylase activity compared with uninvolved skin. The levels of ornithine decarboxylase activity in uninvolved psoriasis skin were also higher than in normals. There was increased putrescine in involved psoriasis compared with uninvolved and normal skin. Spermidine and spermine were increased in psoriasis skin and in uninvolved skin and compared with normals. The spermidine/spermine ratio was greatest in involved skin compared with uninvolved and normal. These results confirm abnormal polyamine metabolism in both the involved and uninvolved skin of psoriatics.

Humans↗

Polyamines are involved in murine kidney development controlling expression of c-ret, E-cadherin, and Pax2/8 genes.

Polyamines play an important role in cell growth and differentiation. We studied changes in morphogenesis and the expression of the developmental control genes in the embryonic mouse kidney in response to polyamine depletion, using a kidney organ culture approach and reducing the polyamine pools with alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible suicide inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). We found that inhibition of ODC results in a systematic kidney organogenesis phenotype, in that the DFMO-treated kidney specimens were of smaller size, had less epithelial ureteric bud branches, and their mesenchymal-derived tubule formation was retarded. These dysmorphologies were shown to be associated with changes in cell proliferation. Whole-mount in situ experiments revealed that inhibition of ODC causes increases in epithelial c-ret and E-cadherin and a decrease in mesenchymal Pax-8 expression, whereas levels of epithelial Wnt-11, mesenchymal GDNF, FoxD1, and Pax-2 transcripts remain unchanged. We studied regulation of the Pax-2 gene by analyzing a mouse line in which lacZ was driven by an 8.5 kb Pax-2 enhancer in the epithelial ureteric bud, and found that Pax-2 expression, as indicated by lacZ expression, increased after DFMO treatment. Transient transfection experiments in HEK 293 cells with the minimal Pax-2 promoter showed enhanced transcription upon reduction of the polyamine pools. We propose that ODC and polyamines have an important role in kidney organogenesis, being involved in the regulation of the expression of genes implicated in epithelial-mesenchymal tissue interactions.

Animals↗

Polyamine-induced actin polymerization.

Muscle actin has been found to polymerize reversibly upon addition of low concentrations of polyamines. This polymerization, studied by centrifugation, has shown a linear relationship between the actin polymerization yield and the chain length of the polyamine. Among the biological polyamines tested, spermidine and spermine are the most efficient. The polymerization of actin can also be induced by the corresponding mono or diguanidine derivatives of these polyamines but monoamines or amino acids are inactive at the same concentration. The transformation of actin from a globular to a fibrous from upon addition of spermidine is also demonstrated by the changes in the near-ultraviolet circular dichoroic spectrum of this protein. Moreover, the polyamine-induced F -actin exhibits the same properties as the salt-induced F -actin: it strongly activates the Mg2+ -ATPase of myosin, its specific viscosity is enhanced to the same extent and electron micrographs show homogeneous thin filaments.

Actins↗