Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
2001-4-5
pubmed:abstractText
Polyamines are aliphatic cations with multiple functions and are essential for life. Cellular polyamine levels are regulated by multiple pathways such as synthesis from amino acid precursors, cellular uptake mechanisms that salvage polyamines from diet and intestinal microorganisms, as well as stepwise degradation and efflux. Investigations using polyamine biosynthetic inhibitors indicate that alterations in cellular polyamine levels modulate normal and cancer cell growth. Studies using transgenic mice overexpressing polyamine biosynthetic enzymes support a role of polyamines in carcinogenesis. Many, if not all, signal transduction pathways intersect with polyamine biosynthetic pathways and the regulation of intracellular polyamine levels. Direct binding of polyamines to DNA and their ability to modulate DNA-protein interactions appear to be important in the molecular mechanisms of polyamine action in cell proliferation. Consistent with the role of polyamines as facilitators of cell growth, several studies have shown their ability to protect cells from apoptosis. However, polyamines also have a role in facilitating cell death. The basis of these diverse cellular responses is currently not known. Cell death response might be partly mediated by the production of hydrogen peroxide during polyamine catabolism. In addition, the ability of polyamines to alter DNA-protein and protein-protein interactions might be disruptive to cellular functions, when abnormally high levels are accumulated due to defects in polyamine catabolic or efflux pathways. A large body of data indicates that polyamine pathway can be a molecular target for therapeutic intervention in several types cancers. Inhibitors of biosynthesis, polyamine analogues as well as oligonucleotide/polyamine analogue combinations are promising drug candidates for chemoprevention and/or treatment of cancer.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
1420-682X
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
58
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
244-58
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-11-19
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2001
pubmed:articleTitle
Polyamines in cell growth and cell death: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic applications.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Environmental and Community Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick 08903, USA. thomasth@umdnj.edu
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't