-
Nature Communications Feb 2021Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is an incurable malignant childhood brain tumor, with no active systemic therapies and a 5-year survival of less than 1%....
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is an incurable malignant childhood brain tumor, with no active systemic therapies and a 5-year survival of less than 1%. Polyamines are small organic polycations that are essential for DNA replication, translation and cell proliferation. Ornithine decarboxylase 1 (ODC1), the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine synthesis, is irreversibly inhibited by difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). Herein we show that polyamine synthesis is upregulated in DIPG, leading to sensitivity to DFMO. DIPG cells compensate for ODC1 inhibition by upregulation of the polyamine transporter SLC3A2. Treatment with the polyamine transporter inhibitor AMXT 1501 reduces uptake of polyamines in DIPG cells, and co-administration of AMXT 1501 and DFMO leads to potent in vitro activity, and significant extension of survival in three aggressive DIPG orthotopic animal models. Collectively, these results demonstrate the potential of dual targeting of polyamine synthesis and uptake as a therapeutic strategy for incurable DIPG.
Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Brain Stem Neoplasms; Cell Death; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; DNA Replication; Dicarboxylic Acid Transporters; Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma; Disease Models, Animal; Eflornithine; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins; Ornithine Decarboxylase; Polyamines
PubMed: 33579942
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-20896-z -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2019Acute kidney injury (AKI) refers to an abrupt decrease in kidney function. It affects approximately 7% of all hospitalized patients and almost 35% of intensive care... (Review)
Review
Acute kidney injury (AKI) refers to an abrupt decrease in kidney function. It affects approximately 7% of all hospitalized patients and almost 35% of intensive care patients. Mortality from acute kidney injury remains high, particularly in critically ill patients, where it can be more than 50%. The primary causes of AKI include ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), sepsis, or nephrotoxicity; however, AKI patients may present with a complicated etiology where many of the aforementioned conditions co-exist. Multiple bio-markers associated with renal damage, as well as metabolic and signal transduction pathways that are involved in the mediation of renal dysfunction have been identified as a result of the examination of models, patient samples, and clinical data of AKI of disparate etiologies. These discoveries have enhanced our ability to diagnose AKIs and to begin to elucidate the mechanisms involved in their pathogenesis. Studies in our laboratory revealed that the expression and activity of spermine/spermidine N-acetyltransferase (SAT1), the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine back conversion, were enhanced in kidneys of rats after I/R injury. Additional studies revealed that the expression of spermine oxidase (SMOX), another critical enzyme in polyamine catabolism, is also elevated in the kidney and other organs subjected to I/R, septic, toxic, and traumatic injuries. The maladaptive role of polyamine catabolism in the mediation of AKI and other injuries has been clearly demonstrated. This review will examine the biochemical and mechanistic basis of tissue damage brought about by enhanced polyamine degradation and discuss the potential of therapeutic interventions that target polyamine catabolic enzymes or their byproducts for the treatment of AKI.
Topics: Acetyltransferases; Acute Kidney Injury; Animals; Biomarkers; Gene Expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Humans; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors; Polyamines; Polyamine Oxidase
PubMed: 31561575
DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194790 -
Cell Communication and Signaling : CCS Dec 2023Polyamines are essential for the growth and proliferation of mammalian cells and are intimately involved in biological mechanisms such as DNA replication, RNA... (Review)
Review
Polyamines are essential for the growth and proliferation of mammalian cells and are intimately involved in biological mechanisms such as DNA replication, RNA transcription, protein synthesis, and post-translational modification. These mechanisms regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation, programmed cell death, and the formation of tumors. Several studies have confirmed the positive effect of polyamines on the maintenance of health, while others have demonstrated that their activity may promote the occurrence and progression of diseases. This review examines a variety of topics, such as polyamine source and metabolism, including metabolism, transport, and the potential impact of polyamines on health and disease. In addition, a brief summary of the effects of oncogenes and signaling pathways on tumor polyamine metabolism is provided. Video Abstract.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Polyamines; Apoptosis; RNA; Neoplasms; Cell Proliferation; Mammals
PubMed: 38049863
DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01373-0 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023The aging of the global population has necessitated the identification of effective anti-aging technologies based on scientific evidence. Polyamines (putrescine,...
The aging of the global population has necessitated the identification of effective anti-aging technologies based on scientific evidence. Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) are essential for cell growth and function. Age-related reductions in polyamine levels have been shown to be associated with reduced cognitive and physical functions. We have previously found that the expression of spermine oxidase (SMOX) increases with age; however, the relationship between SMOX expression and cellular senescence remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between increased SMOX expression and cellular senescence using human-liver-derived HepG2 cells. Intracellular spermine levels decreased and spermidine levels increased with the serial passaging of cells (aged cells), and aged cells showed increased expression of SMOX. The levels of acrolein-conjugated protein, which is produced during spermine degradation, also increases. Senescence-associated β-gal activity was increased in aged cells, and the increase was suppressed by MDL72527, an inhibitor of acetylpolyamine oxidase (AcPAO) and SMOX, both of which are enzymes that catalyze polyamine degradation. DNA damage accumulated in aged cells and MDL72527 reduced DNA damage. These results suggest that the SMOX-mediated degradation of spermine plays an important role in cellular senescence. Our results demonstrate that cellular senescence can be controlled by inhibiting spermine degradation using a polyamine-catabolizing enzyme inhibitor.
Topics: Humans; Spermidine; Spermine; Cellular Senescence; Aging; Polyamines
PubMed: 37686212
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713397 -
Marine Drugs Dec 2018Microalgae of different evolutionary origins are typically found in rivers, lakes, and oceans, providing more than 45% of global primary production. They provide not... (Review)
Review
Microalgae of different evolutionary origins are typically found in rivers, lakes, and oceans, providing more than 45% of global primary production. They provide not only a food source for animals, but also affect microbial ecosystems through symbioses with microorganisms or secretion of some metabolites. Derived from amino acids, polyamines are present in almost all types of organisms, where they play important roles in maintaining physiological functions or against stress. Microalgae can produce a variety of distinct polyamines, and the polyamine content is important to meet the physiological needs of microalgae and may also affect other species in the environment. In addition, some polyamines produced by microalgae have medical or nanotechnological applications. Previous studies on several types of microalgae have indicated that the putative polyamine metabolic pathways may be as complicated as the genomes of these organisms, which contain genes originating from plants, animals, and even bacteria. There are also several novel polyamine synthetic routes in microalgae. Understanding the nature of polyamines in microalgae will not only improve our knowledge of microalgal physiology and ecological function, but also provide valuable information for biotechnological applications.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Biosynthetic Pathways; Biotechnology; Cell Division; Microalgae; Photosynthesis; Polyamines; Stress, Physiological
PubMed: 30577419
DOI: 10.3390/md17010001 -
Biomolecules Dec 2022Cancer metabolic reprogramming is essential for maintaining cancer cell survival and rapid replication. A common target of this metabolic reprogramming is one-carbon... (Review)
Review
Cancer metabolic reprogramming is essential for maintaining cancer cell survival and rapid replication. A common target of this metabolic reprogramming is one-carbon metabolism which is notable for its function in DNA synthesis, protein and DNA methylation, and antioxidant production. Polyamines are a key output of one-carbon metabolism with widespread effects on gene expression and signaling. As a result of these functions, one-carbon and polyamine metabolism have recently drawn a lot of interest for their part in cancer malignancy. Therapeutic inhibitors that target one-carbon and polyamine metabolism have thus been trialed as anticancer medications. The significance and future possibilities of one-carbon and polyamine metabolism as a target in cancer therapy are discussed in this review.
Topics: Humans; Carbon; Polyamines; DNA Methylation; Antineoplastic Agents; Neoplasms
PubMed: 36551330
DOI: 10.3390/biom12121902 -
Medical Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2022The polyamines spermidine and spermine are positively charged aliphatic molecules. They are critical in the regulation of nucleic acid and protein structures, protein... (Review)
Review
The polyamines spermidine and spermine are positively charged aliphatic molecules. They are critical in the regulation of nucleic acid and protein structures, protein synthesis, protein and nucleic acid interactions, oxidative balance, and cell proliferation. Cellular polyamine levels are tightly controlled through their import, export, synthesis, and catabolism. Enzymes and enzymatic cascades involved in polyamine metabolism have been well characterized. This knowledge has been used for the development of novel compounds for research and medical applications. Furthermore, studies have shown that disturbances in polyamine levels and their metabolic pathways, as a result of spontaneous mutations in patients, genetic engineering in mice or experimentally induced injuries in rodents, are associated with multiple maladaptive changes. The adverse effects of altered polyamine metabolism have also been demonstrated in models. These observations highlight the important role these molecules and their metabolism play in the maintenance of physiological normalcy and the mediation of injury. This review will attempt to cover the extensive and diverse knowledge of the biological role of polyamines and their metabolism in the maintenance of physiological homeostasis and the mediation of tissue injury.
Topics: Animals; Homeostasis; Mice; Nucleic Acids; Polyamines; Spermidine; Spermine
PubMed: 35893120
DOI: 10.3390/medsci10030038 -
Aging Aug 2011Polyamines are polycations that interact with negatively charged molecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins. They play multiple roles in cell growth, survival and... (Review)
Review
Polyamines are polycations that interact with negatively charged molecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins. They play multiple roles in cell growth, survival and proliferation. Changes in polyamine levels have been associated with aging and diseases. Their levels decline continuously with age and polyamine (spermidine or high-polyamine diet) supplementation increases life span in model organisms. Polyamines have also been involved in stress resistance. On the other hand, polyamines are increased in cancer cells and are a target for potential chemotherapeutic agents. In this review, we bring together these various results and draw a picture of the state of our knowledge on the roles of polyamines in aging, stress and diseases.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Biological Transport; Humans; Neoplasms; Polyamines; Stress, Physiological
PubMed: 21869457
DOI: 10.18632/aging.100361 -
The Journal of Biological Chemistry Nov 2018Most of the phylogenetic diversity of life is found in bacteria and archaea, and is reflected in the diverse metabolism and functions of bacterial and archaeal... (Review)
Review
Most of the phylogenetic diversity of life is found in bacteria and archaea, and is reflected in the diverse metabolism and functions of bacterial and archaeal polyamines. The polyamine spermidine was probably present in the last universal common ancestor, and polyamines are known to be necessary for critical physiological functions in bacteria, such as growth, biofilm formation, and other surface behaviors, and production of natural products, such as siderophores. There is also phylogenetic diversity of function, indicated by the role of polyamines in planktonic growth of different species, ranging from absolutely essential to entirely dispensable. However, the cellular molecular mechanisms responsible for polyamine function in bacterial growth are almost entirely unknown. In contrast, the molecular mechanisms of essential polyamine functions in archaea are better understood: covalent modification by polyamines of translation factor aIF5A and the agmatine modification of tRNA As with bacterial hyperthermophiles, archaeal thermophiles require long-chain and branched polyamines for growth at high temperatures. For bacterial species in which polyamines are essential for growth, it is still unknown whether the molecular mechanisms underpinning polyamine function involve covalent or noncovalent interactions. Understanding the cellular molecular mechanisms of polyamine function in bacterial growth and physiology remains one of the great challenges for future polyamine research.
Topics: Archaea; Archaeal Proteins; Bacteria; Bacterial Proteins; Polyamines
PubMed: 30254075
DOI: 10.1074/jbc.TM118.005670 -
The Journal of Biological Chemistry Jul 2016Polyamines are primordial polycations found in most cells and perform different functions in different organisms. Although polyamines are mainly known for their... (Review)
Review
Polyamines are primordial polycations found in most cells and perform different functions in different organisms. Although polyamines are mainly known for their essential roles in cell growth and proliferation, their functions range from a critical role in cellular translation in eukaryotes and archaea, to bacterial biofilm formation and specialized roles in natural product biosynthesis. At first glance, the diversity of polyamine structures in different organisms appears chaotic; however, biosynthetic flexibility and evolutionary and ecological processes largely explain this heterogeneity. In this review, I discuss the biosynthetic, evolutionary, and physiological processes that constrain or expand polyamine structural and functional diversity.
Topics: Archaea; Bacteria; Biosynthetic Pathways; Eukaryota; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Polyamines
PubMed: 27268252
DOI: 10.1074/jbc.R116.734780