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Caracausi M, Ramacieri G, Catapano F, Cicilloni M, Lajin B, Pelleri MC, Piovesan A, Vitale L, Locatelli C, Pirazzoli GL, Strippoli P, Antonaros F, Vione B. The functional roles of S-adenosyl-methionine and S-adenosyl-homocysteine and their involvement in trisomy 21. Biofactors 2024; 50:709-724. [PMID: 38353465 DOI: 10.1002/biof.2044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
The one-carbon metabolism pathway is involved in critical human cellular functions such as cell proliferation, mitochondrial respiration, and epigenetic regulation. In the homocysteine-methionine cycle S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM) and S-adenosyl-homocysteine (SAH) are synthetized, and their levels are finely regulated to ensure proper functioning of key enzymes which control cellular growth and differentiation. Here we review the main biological mechanisms involving SAM and SAH and the known related human diseases. It was recently demonstrated that SAM and SAH levels are altered in plasma of subjects with trisomy 21 (T21) but how this metabolic dysregulation influences the clinical manifestation of T21 phenotype has not been previously described. This review aims at providing an overview of the biological mechanisms which are altered in response to changes in the levels of SAM and SAH observed in DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Caracausi
- Unit of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ramacieri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Speciality School of Child Neuropsychiatry-Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Catapano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michela Cicilloni
- Unit of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Bassam Lajin
- Institute of Chemistry, ChromICP, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Maria Chiara Pelleri
- Unit of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Allison Piovesan
- Unit of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorenza Vitale
- Unit of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Locatelli
- Neonatology Unit, St. Orsola-Malpighi Polyclinic, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Pierluigi Strippoli
- Unit of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Antonaros
- Unit of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Beatrice Vione
- Unit of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Vasudevaraju P, Bharathi, Garruto R, Sambamurti K, Rao K. Role of DNA dynamics in Alzheimer's disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 58:136-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2008.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2007] [Revised: 01/14/2008] [Accepted: 01/15/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Virgili M, Crochemore C, Peña-Altamira E, Contestabile A. Regional and temporal alterations of ODC/polyamine system during ALS-like neurodegenerative motor syndrome in G93A transgenic mice. Neurochem Int 2005; 48:201-7. [PMID: 16290266 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2005.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2005] [Accepted: 10/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Natural polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) are ubiquitous molecules known to regulate a number of physiological processes and suspected to play a role also in various pathological conditions. Changes in polyamine levels and in their biosynthetic enzymes have been described for some neurodegenerative diseases but the available data are incomplete and somewhat contradictory. We report here alterations of the key enzyme of the polyamine pathway, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) catalytic activity and polyamine levels in different CNS areas from SOD1 G39A transgenic mice, an animal model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ODC catalytic activity, was found significantly increased both in the cervical and lumbar spinal cord and, to a lesser extent in the brain stem of transgenic mice at a symptomatic stage of the disease (125-day-old mice), while no differences were present at a pre-symptomatic stage (55-day-old mice). In parallel with the increase of ODC activity putrescine levels were several times increased in both cervical and lumbar spinal cord and in the brain stem of 125-day-old SOD1 G39A mice. Higher order polyamines were not increased except for a significant increase of spermidine in the cervical spinal cord. The present data demonstrate considerable alterations of the ODC/polyamine system in a reliable animal model of ASL, consistent with their role in neurodegeneration and in particular in motor neuron diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Virgili
- Department of Biology, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Teti D, Visalli M, McNair H. Analysis of polyamines as markers of (patho)physiological conditions. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2002; 781:107-49. [PMID: 12450656 DOI: 10.1016/s1570-0232(02)00669-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The aliphatic polyamines, putrescine, spermidine and spermine, are normal cell constituents that play important roles in cell proliferation and differentiation. The equilibrium between cellular uptake and release and the balanced activities of biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes of polyamines are essential for normal homeostasis in the proliferation and functions of cells and tissues. However, the intracellular polyamine content increases in hyperplastic or neoplastic growth. Although the involvement of polyamines in physiological and pathological cell proliferation and differentiation has been well established, the role they play is quite different in relation to cell systems and animal models and is dependent on inducer agents and stimuli. Also, the experimental procedures used to deplete polyamines have been shown to influence the cell responses. In this paper, the assay methods currently in use for polyamines are reviewed and compared with respect to sensitivity, reproducibility and applicability to routine analysis. The relevance of polyamine metabolism and the uptake/release process in many physiological and pathological processes is highlighted, and the cellular polyamine pathways are discussed in relation to the possible diagnostic and therapeutic significance of these mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Teti
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Microbiology, Section of Experimental Pathology, Azienda Policlinico Universitario, Torre Biologica, IV piano, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy.
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Bernstein HG, Müller M. The cellular localization of the L-ornithine decarboxylase/polyamine system in normal and diseased central nervous systems. Prog Neurobiol 1999; 57:485-505. [PMID: 10215098 DOI: 10.1016/s0301-0082(98)00065-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Natural polyamines, spermidine and spermine, and their precursor putrescine, are of considerable importance for the developing and mature nervous system. They exhibit a number of neurophysiological and metabolic effects in the nervous system, including control of nucleic acid and protein synthesis, modulation of ionic channels and calcium-dependent transmitter release. The polyamine system is also known to be involved in various brain pathologic events (seizures, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and others). While cerebral polyamine concentrations and the activities of polyamine-metabolizing enzymes have been studied in great detail, much less is known about the cells that are responsible for cerebral polyamine synthesis and interconversion. With the present review the attempt is made to show how exact knowledge about the regional distribution and cellular localization of polyamines and the polyamine-synthesizing enzymatic machinery (and especially of L-ornithine decarboxylase) may help to better understand the functional interplay between polyamines and other endogenous agents (transmitters, receptors, growth factors neuroactive drugs etc.). Polyamines have been localized both in neurones and glial cells. However, the main cellular locus of the ODC is the neuron--both in the immature and adult central nervous system. Each period of normal brain development and ageing seems to have its own, characteristic temporo-spatial pattern of neuronal ODC expression. During strong functional activation (kindling, epileptic seizures, neural transplantation) astrocytes and other non-neuronal cells do also express ODC and other polyamine-metabolizing enzymes. Astroglial expression of ODC is accompanied by an increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein in these cells. This shift in the cellular mechanisms of polyamine metabolism is currently far from being understood. In human brain diseases (Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia) certain neurones show an increased expression of ODC, the first and rate-limiting enzyme of polyamine metabolism. Since polyamines are structurally related to psychoactive drugs (neuroleptics, antidepressants) the polyamine system might be of importance as a putative target for drug intervention in psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- H G Bernstein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Germany.
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Zoli M, Pedrazzi P, Agnati LF. Regional and cellular distribution of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) mRNA in the rat central nervous system. Neurosci Lett 1996; 207:13-6. [PMID: 8710198 DOI: 10.1016/0304-3940(96)12478-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) is the key enzyme responsible for polyamine interconversion. SSAT mRNA (visualized by in situ hybridization histochemistry) was shown to have a wide but heterogeneous distribution in the central nervous system (CNS) at both regional and cellular levels. The highest labelling was observed in hippocampus (pyramidal and polymorph neurons) and olfactory bulb. Present data suggest that polyamine metabolism in the CNS is not homogeneous but rather that the preferential production of a polyamine species is region- and cell type-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zoli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Modena, Italy
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Seidl R, Beninati S, Cairns N, Singewald N, Risser D, Bavan H, Nemethova M, Lubec G. Polyamines in frontal cortex of patients with Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease. Neurosci Lett 1996; 206:193-5. [PMID: 8710184 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(96)12451-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Polyamines may play an important role in brain development, mature brain function and also in neurodegenerative conditions. We investigated polyamine levels in frontal cortex of human post-mortem brain samples of elderly patients with Down syndrome (DS), Alzheimer disease (AD) and normal controls by means of chromatographic separation after dansylation. Spermidine and spermine concentrations were markedly decreased in DS and AD. Polyamine levels were neither related to age and post-mortem interval nor to choline acetyltransferase activity, as indicator of neuronal loss. Our results support the idea that besides other neurotransmitter systems, endogenous polyamine levels are altered in dementing illnesses such as Alzheimer disease and Down syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Seidl
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Vienna, Austria
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Nabekura J, Kawamoto I, Horimoto N, Ogawa T. Developmental change of the potentiation of NMDA response by spermine. Neuroreport 1995; 6:994-6. [PMID: 7543301 DOI: 10.1097/00001756-199505090-00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Developmental change in the potentiation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) responses by spermine was investigated on the ventromedial hypothalamic neurones acutely dissociated from the rats aged between 5 and 21 days, using a nystatin perforated patch clamp recording in a whole cell mode. Spermine potentiated the NMDA response in a concentration dependent manner between 10(-5) M and 10(-5) M at all ages examined. This potentiation decreased significantly with age. On the other hand, spermine did not affect the kainate and AMPA responses at any age. This developmental change of the modulation of NMDA responses might influence to or be influenced by the behavioural and neuronal changes related to the VMH in the early postnatal life.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Nabekura
- Department of Physiology, Akita University School of Medicine, Japan
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