alpha-Methyl polyamines: metabolically stable spermidine and spermine mimics capable of supporting growth in cells depleted of polyamines

Difluoromethylornithine rebalances aberrant polyamine ratios in Snyder-Robinson syndrome

Snyder-Robinson syndrome (SRS) results from mutations in spermine synthase (SMS), which converts the polyamine spermidine into spermine. Affecting primarily males, common manifestations of SRS include intellectual disability, osteoporosis, hypotonia, and seizures. Symptom management is the only treatment. Reduced SMS activity causes spermidine accumulation while spermine levels are reduced. The resulting exaggerated spermidine:spermine ratio is a biochemical hallmark of SRS that tends to correlate with symptom severity. Our studies aim to pharmacologically manipulate polyamine metabolism to correct this imbalance as a therapeutic strategy for SRS. Here we report the repurposing of 2-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an FDA-approved inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis, in rebalancing spermidine:spermine ratios in SRS patient cells. Mechanistic in vitro studies demonstrate that, while reducing spermidine biosynthesis, DFMO also stimulates the conversion of spermidine into spermine in hypomorphic SMS cells and induces uptake of exogenous spermine, altogether reducing the aberrant ratios. In a Drosophila SRS model characterized by reduced lifespan, DFMO improves longevity. As nearly all SRS patient mutations are hypomorphic, these studies form a strong foundation for translational studies with significant therapeutic potential.

C-Methylated Spermidine Derivatives: Convenient Syntheses and Antizyme-Related Effects

The biogenic polyamines, spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm), are present at millimolar concentrations in all eukaryotic cells, where they participate in the regulation of vitally important cellular functions. Polyamine analogs and derivatives are a traditional and important instrument for the investigation of the cellular functions of polyamines, enzymes of their metabolism, and the regulation of the biosynthesis of antizyme-a key downregulator of polyamine homeostasis. Here, we describe convenient gram-scale syntheses of a set of C-methylated analogs of Spd. The biochemical properties of these compounds and the possibility for the regulation of their activity by moving a methyl group along the polyamine backbone and by changing the stereochemistry of the chiral center(s) are discussed.

Difluoromethylornithine rebalances aberrant polyamine ratios in Snyder-Robinson syndrome: mechanism of action and therapeutic potential

Snyder-Robinson Syndrome (SRS) is caused by mutations in the spermine synthase (SMS) gene, the enzyme product of which converts the polyamine spermidine into spermine. Affecting primarily males, common manifestations of SRS include intellectual disability, osteoporosis, hypotonic musculature, and seizures, along with other more variable symptoms. Currently, medical management focuses on treating these symptoms without addressing the underlying molecular cause of the disease. Reduced SMS catalytic activity in cells of SRS patients causes the accumulation of spermidine, while spermine levels are reduced. The resulting exaggeration in spermidine-to-spermine ratio is a biochemical hallmark of SRS that tends to correlate with symptom severity in the patient. Our studies aim to pharmacologically manipulate polyamine metabolism to correct this polyamine imbalance and investigate the potential of this approach as a therapeutic strategy for affected individuals. Here we report the use of difluoromethylornithine (DFMO; eflornithine), an FDA-approved inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis, in re-establishing normal spermidine-to-spermine ratios in SRS patient cells. Through mechanistic studies, we demonstrate that, while reducing spermidine biosynthesis, DFMO also stimulates the conversion of existing spermidine into spermine in cell lines with hypomorphic variants of SMS. Further, DFMO treatment induces a compensatory uptake of exogenous polyamines, including spermine and spermine mimetics, cooperatively reducing spermidine and increasing spermine levels. In a Drosophila SRS model characterized by reduced lifespan, adding DFMO to the feed extended lifespan. As nearly all known SRS patient mutations are hypomorphic, these studies form a foundation for future translational studies with significant therapeutic potential.

α-Difluoromethylornithine-Induced Cytostasis is Reversed by Exogenous Polyamines, Not by Thymidine Supplementation

Polyamine spermidine is essential for the proliferation of eukaryotic cells. Administration of polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) induces cytostasis that occurs in two phases; the early phase which can be reversed by spermidine, spermine, and some of their analogs, and the late phase which is characterized by practically complete depletion of cellular spermidine pool. The growth of cells at the late phase can be reversed by spermidine and by very few of its analogs, including (S)-1-methylspermidine. It was reported previously (Witherspoon et al. Cancer Discovery 3(9); 1072–81, 2013) that DFMO treatment leads to depletion of cellular thymidine pools, and that exogenous thymidine supplementation partially prevents DFMO-induced cytostasis without affecting intracellular polyamine pools in HT-29, SW480, and LoVo colorectal cancer cells. Here we show that thymidine did not prevent DFMO-induced cytostasis in DU145, LNCaP, MCF7, CaCo2, BT4C, SV40MES13, HepG2, HEK293, NIH3T3, ARPE19 or HT-29 cell lines, whereas administration of functionally active mimetic of spermidine, (S)-1-methylspermidine, did. Thus, the effect of thymidine seems to be specific only for certain cell lines. We conclude that decreased polyamine levels and possibly also distorted pools of folate-dependent metabolites mediate the anti-proliferative actions of DFMO. However, polyamines are necessary and sufficient to overcome DFMO-induced cytostasis, while thymidine is generally not.

(R,R)-1,12-Dimethylspermine can mitigate abnormal spermidine accumulation in Snyder-Robinson syndrome

Snyder-Robinson syndrome (SRS) is an X-linked intellectual disability syndrome caused by a loss-of-function mutation in the spermine synthase (SMS) gene. Primarily affecting males, the main manifestations of SRS include osteoporosis, hypotonic stature, seizures, cognitive impairment, and developmental delay. Because there is no cure for SRS, treatment plans focus on alleviating symptoms rather than targeting the underlying causes. Biochemically, the cells of individuals with SRS accumulate excess spermidine, whereas spermine levels are reduced. We recently demonstrated that SRS patient-derived lymphoblastoid cells are capable of transporting exogenous spermine and its analogs into the cell and, in response, decreasing excess spermidine pools to normal levels. However, dietary supplementation of spermine does not appear to benefit SRS patients or mouse models. Here, we investigated the potential use of a metabolically stable spermine mimetic, (R,R)-1,12-dimethylspermine (Me₂SPM), to reduce the intracellular spermidine pools of SRS patient-derived cells. Me₂SPM can functionally substitute for the native polyamines in supporting cell growth while stimulating polyamine homeostatic control mechanisms. We found that both lymphoblasts and fibroblasts from SRS patients can accumulate Me₂SPM, resulting in significantly decreased spermidine levels with no adverse effects on growth. Me₂SPM administration to mice revealed that Me₂SPM significantly decreases spermidine levels in multiple tissues. Importantly, Me₂SPM was detectable in brain tissue, the organ most affected in SRS, and was associated with changes in polyamine metabolic enzymes. These findings indicate that the (R,R)-diastereomer of 1,12-Me₂SPM represents a promising lead compound in developing a treatment aimed at targeting the molecular mechanisms underlying SRS pathology.

Controlling the regioselectivity and stereospecificity of FAD-dependent polyamine oxidases with the use of amine-attached guide molecules as conformational modulators

Enzymes generally display strict stereospecificity and regioselectivity for their substrates. Here by using FAD-dependent human acetylpolyamine oxidase (APAO), human spermine (Spm) oxidase (SMOX) and yeast polyamine oxidase (Fms1), we demonstrate that these fundamental properties of the enzymes may be regulated using simple guide molecules, being either covalently attached to polyamines or used as a supplement to the substrate mixtures. APAO, which naturally metabolizes achiral N1-acetylated polyamines, displays aldehyde-controllable stereospecificity with chiral 1-methylated polyamines, like (R)- and (S)-1-methylspermidine (1,8-diamino-5-azanonane) (1-MeSpd). Among the novel N1-acyl derivatives of MeSpd, isonicotinic acid (P4) or benzoic acid (Bz) with (R)-MeSpd had Km of 3.6 ± 0.6/1.2 ± 0.7 µM and kcat of 5.2 ± 0.6/4.6 ± 0.7 s-1 respectively, while N1 -AcSpd had Km 8.2 ± 0.4 µM and kcat 2.7 ± 0.0 s-1 On the contrary, corresponding (S)-MeSpd amides were practically inactive (kcat < 0.03 s-1) but they retained micromole level Km for APAO. SMOX did not metabolize any of the tested compounds (kcat < 0.05 s-1) that acted as non-competitive inhibitors having Ki ≥ 155 µM for SMOX. In addition, we tested (R,R)-1,12-bis-methylspermine (2,13-diamino-5,10-diazatetradecane) (R,R)-(Me2Spm) and (S,S)-Me2Spm as substrates for Fms1. Fms1 preferred (S,S)- to (R,R)-diastereoisomer, but with notably lower kcat in comparison with spermine. Interestingly, Fms1 was prone to aldehyde supplementation in its regioselectivity, i.e. the cleavage site of spermidine. Thus, aldehyde supplementation to generate aldimines or N-terminal substituents in polyamines, i.e. attachment of guide molecule, generates novel ligands with altered charge distribution changing the binding and catalytic properties with polyamine oxidases. This provides means for exploiting hidden capabilities of polyamine oxidases for controlling their regioselectivity and stereospecificity.

Synthesis and antikinetoplastid evaluation of bis(benzyl)spermidine derivatives

This study describes the synthesis and the biological evaluation of twenty-four original bis(benzyl)spermidines. Structural modifications of the polyamine scaffold were performed in order to avoid easily metabolized bonds. Some bis(benzyl)polyamine derivatives have demonstrated promising activity in vitro against Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Leishmania donovani. From the enzymatic experiments on trypanothione reductase, we observed that this enzyme was not targeted by our compounds. In vivo evaluation on Swiss mice model infected by T. b. gambiense or L. donovani was done with the most interesting compound of the series.

Targeting polyamine metabolism for cancer therapy and prevention

The chemically simple, biologically complex eukaryotic polyamines, spermidine and spermine, are positively charged alkylamines involved in many crucial cellular processes. Along with their diamine precursor putrescine, their normally high intracellular concentrations require fine attenuation by multiple regulatory mechanisms to keep these essential molecules within strict physiologic ranges. Since the metabolism of and requirement for polyamines are frequently dysregulated in neoplastic disease, the metabolic pathway and functions of polyamines provide rational drug targets; however, these targets have been difficult to exploit for chemotherapy. It is the goal of this article to review the latest findings in the field that demonstrate the potential utility of targeting the metabolism and function of polyamines as strategies for both chemotherapy and, possibly more importantly, chemoprevention.

Charged Triazole Cross-Linkers for Hyaluronan-Based Hybrid Hydrogels

Polyelectrolyte hydrogels play an important role in tissue engineering and can be produced from natural polymers, such as the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan. In order to control charge density and mechanical properties of hyaluronan-based hydrogels, we developed cross-linkers with a neutral or positively charged triazole core with different lengths of spacer arms and two terminal maleimide groups. These cross-linkers react with thiolated hyaluronan in a fast, stoichiometric thio-Michael addition. Introducing a positive charge on the core of the cross-linker enabled us to compare hydrogels with the same interconnectivity, but a different charge density. Positively charged cross-linkers form stiffer hydrogels relatively independent of the size of the cross-linker, whereas neutral cross-linkers only form stable hydrogels at small spacer lengths. These novel cross-linkers provide a platform to tune the hydrogel network charge and thus the mechanical properties of the network. In addition, they might offer a wide range of applications especially in bioprinting for precise design of hydrogels.

Selective regulation of polyamine metabolism with methylated polyamine analogues

Polyamine metabolism is intimately linked to the physiological state of the cell. Low polyamines levels promote growth cessation, while increased concentrations are often associated with rapid proliferation or cancer. Delicately balanced biosynthesis, catabolism, uptake and excretion are very important for maintaining the intracellular polyamine homeostasis, and deregulated polyamine metabolism is associated with imbalanced metabolic red/ox state. Although many cellular targets of polyamines have been described, the precise molecular mechanisms in these interactions are largely unknown. Polyamines are readily interconvertible which complicate studies on the functions of the individual polyamines. Thus, non-metabolizable polyamine analogues, like carbon-methylated analogues, are needed to circumvent that problem. This review focuses on methylated putrescine, spermidine and spermine analogues in which at least one hydrogen atom attached to polyamine carbon backbone has been replaced by a methyl group. These analogues allow the regulation of both metabolic and catabolic fates of the parent molecule. Substituting the natural polyamines with methylated analogue(s) offers means to study either the functions of an individual polyamine or the effects of altered polyamine metabolism on cell physiology. In general, gem-dimethylated analogues are considered to be non-metabolizable by polyamine catabolizing enzymes spermidine/spermine-N¹-acetyltransferase and acetylpolyamine oxidase and they support short-term cellular proliferation in many experimental models. Monomethylation renders the analogues chiral, offering some advantage over gem-dimethylated analogues in the specific regulation of polyamine metabolism. Thus, methylated polyamine analogues are practical tools to meet existing biological challenges in solving the physiological functions of polyamines.

Spermidine promotes adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells by preventing interaction of ANP32 with HuR and PP2A

We have shown previously that the polyamine spermidine is indispensable for differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In the present study, we examined the mechanism of spermidine function by using the polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor α-difluoromethylornithine in combination with the metabolically stable polyamine analogues γ-methylspermidine or (R,R)-α,ω-bismethylspermine. At the early phase of differentiation, spermidine-depleted 3T3-L1 cells showed decreased translation of the transcription factor C/EBPβ (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β), decreased PP2A (protein phosphatase 2A) activity and increased cytoplasmic localization of the RNA-binding protein HuR (human antigen R). The amount of HuR bound to C/EBPβ mRNA was reduced, whereas the amount of bound CUGBP2, an inhibitor of C/EBPβ translation, was increased. ANP32 (acidic nuclear phosphoprotein 32) proteins, which are known PP2A inhibitors and HuR ligands, bound more PP2A and HuR in spermidine-depleted than in control cells, whereas immunodepletion of ANP32 proteins from the lysate of spermidine-depleted cells restored PP2A activity. Taken together, our data shows that spermidine promotes C/EBPβ translation in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells, and that this process is controlled by the interaction of ANP32 with HuR and PP2A.

Effects of novel C-methylated spermidine analogs on cell growth via hypusination of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A

The polyamines, putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, are ubiquitous multifunctional cations essential for cellular proliferation. One specific function of spermidine in cell growth is its role as a butylamine donor for hypusine synthesis in the eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A). Here, we report the ability of novel mono-methylated spermidine analogs (α-MeSpd, β-MeSpd, γ-MeSpd, and ω-MeSpd) to function in the hypusination of eIF5A and in supporting the growth of DFMO-treated DU145 cells. We also tested them as substrates and inhibitors for deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) in vitro. Of these compounds, α-MeSpd, β-MeSpd, and γ-MeSpd (but not ω-MeSpd) were substrates for DHS in vitro, while they all inhibited the enzyme reaction. As racemic mixtures, only α-MeSpd and β-MeSpd supported long-term growth (9-18 days) of spermidine-depleted DU145 cells, whereas γ-MeSpd and ω-MeSpd did not. The S-enantiomer of α-MeSpd, which supported long-term growth, was a good substrate for DHS in vitro, whereas the R-isomer was not. The long-term growth of DFMO-treated cells correlated with the hypusine modification of eIF5A by intracellular methylated spermidine analogs. These results underscore the critical requirement for hypusine modification in mammalian cell proliferation and provide new insights into the specificity of the deoxyhypusine synthase reaction.

The use of novel C-methylated spermidine derivatives to investigate the regulation of polyamine metabolism

The polyamines are organic polycations present at millimolar concentrations in eukaryotic cells where they participate in the regulation of vital cellular functions including proliferation and differentiation. Biological evaluation of rationally designed polyamine analogs is one of the cornerstones of polyamine research. Here we have synthesized and characterized novel C-methylated spermidine analogs, that is, 2-methylspermidine, 3-methylspermidine, and 8-methylspermidine. 3-Methylspermidine was found to be metabolically stable in DU145 cells, while 8-methylspermidine was a substrate for spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase (SSAT) and 2-methylspermidine was a substrate for both SSAT and acetylpolyamine oxidase. All the analogs induced the splicing of the productive mRNA splice variant of SSAT, overcame growth arrest induced by 72-h treatment with ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitor α-difluoromethylornithine, and were transported via the polyamine transporter. Surprisingly, 2-methylspermidine was a weak downregulator of ODC activity in DU145 cells. Our data demonstrates that it is possible to radically alter the biochemical properties of a polyamine analog by changing the position of the methyl group.

Methylated polyamines as research tools

Earlier unknown racemic β-methylspermidine (β-MeSpd) and γ-methylspermidine (γ-MeSpd) were -synthesized starting from crotononitrile or methacrylonitrile and putrescine. Lithium aluminum hydride reduction of the intermediate di-Boc-nitriles resulted in corresponding di-Boc-amines, which after deprotection gave target β- and γ-MeSpd's. To prepare α-MeSpd, the starting compound, 3-amino-1-butanol, was converted into N-Cbz-3-amino-1-butyl methanesulfonate, which alkylated putrescine to give (after deprotection of amino group) the required α-MeSpd. Novel β- and γ-MeSpd's in combination with earlier α-MeSpd are useful tools for studying enzymology and cell biology of polyamines.

Current status of the polyamine research field

This chapter provides an overview of the polyamine field and introduces the 32 other chapters that make up this volume. These chapters provide a wide range of methods, advice, and background relevant to studies of the function of polyamines, the regulation of their content, their role in disease, and the therapeutic potential of drugs targeting polyamine content and function. The methodology provided in this new volume will enable laboratories already working in this area to expand their experimental techniques and facilitate the entry of additional workers into this rapidly expanding field.

Characterization of polyamine homeostasis in l-ornithine-induced acute pancreatitis in rats

OBJECTIVES

l-Ornithine is a precursor of polyamine synthesis that is essential for cell survival. In contrast, intraperitoneal (IP) administration of a large dose of l-ornithine results in death of pancreatic acinar cells in rats. We investigated changes in pancreatic and extrapancreatic polyamine homeostasis after injection of l-ornithine and tested the effects of the stable polyamine analogue methylspermidine (MeSpd) on l-ornithine-induced pancreatitis.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were injected IP with 3 g/kg l-ornithine and were untreated, pretreated, or treated with 50 mg/kg MeSpd IP. Rats were killed after 0 to 168 hours for determinations of polyamines and activities of ornithine decarboxylase and spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase (SSAT). Pancreatitis severity was assessed by measuring standard laboratory and histological parameters.

RESULTS

Injection of l-ornithine paradoxically induced pancreatic spermidine catabolism, possibly via activation of SSAT, after (>6 hours) appearance of the first histological signs of acute pancreatitis. Polyamine levels generally increased in the lung and liver with the exception of lung spermidine levels, which decreased. Methylspermidine did not influence polyamine levels and SSAT activity and did not ameliorate the severity of l-ornithine-induced pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

l-Ornithine-induced pancreatitis was associated with activation of pancreatic polyamine catabolism. However, administration of a metabolically stable polyamine analogue did not affect disease severity.

Synthesis and biological characterization of novel charge-deficient spermine analogues

Biogenic polyamines, spermidine and spermine, are positively charged at physiological pH. They are present in all cells and essential for their growth and viability. Here we synthesized three novel derivatives of the isosteric charge-deficient spermine analogue 1,12-diamino-3,6,9-triazadodecane (SpmTrien, 5a) that are N(1)-Ac-SpmTrien (5c), N(12)-Ac-SpmTrien (5b), and N(1),N(12)-diethyl-1,12-diamino-3,6,9-triazadodecane (N(1),N(12)-Et(2)-SpmTrien, 5d). 5a and 5d readily accumulated in DU145 cells at the same concentration range as natural polyamines and moderately competed for the uptake with putrescine (1) but not with spermine (4a) or spermidine (2). 5a efficiently down-regulated ornithine decarboxylase and decreased polyamine levels, while 5d proved to be inefficient, compared with N(1),N(11)-diethylnorspermine (6). None of the tested analogues were substrates for human recombinant spermine oxidase, but those having free aminoterminus, including 1,8-diamino-3,6-diazaoctane (Trien, 3a), were acetylated by mouse recombinant spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase. 5a was acetylated to 5c and 5b, and the latter was further metabolized by acetylpolyamine oxidase to 3a, a drug used to treat Wilson's disease. Thus, 5a is a bioactive precursor of 3a with enhanced bioavailability.

Acute pancreatitis induced by activated polyamine catabolism is associated with coagulopathy: effects of alpha-methylated polyamine analogs on hemostasis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Polyamines are ubiquitous organic cations essential for cellular proliferation and tissue integrity. We have previously shown that pancreatic polyamine depletion in rats overexpressing the catabolic enzyme, spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase (SSAT), results in the development of severe acute pancreatitis, and that therapeutic administration of metabolically stable alpha-methylated polyamine analogs protects the animals from pancreatitis-associated mortality. Our aim was to elucidate the therapeutic mechanism(s) of alpha-methylspermidine (MeSpd).

METHODS

The effect of MeSpd on hemostasis and the extent of organ failure were studied in SSAT transgenic rats with either induced pancreatitis or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced coagulopathy. The effect of polyamines on fibrinolysis and coagulation was also studied in vitro.

RESULTS

Pancreatitis caused a rapid development of intravascular coagulopathy, as assessed by prolonged coagulation times, decreased plasma fibrinogen level and antithrombin activity, enhanced fibrinolysis, reduced platelet count and presence of schistocytes. Therapeutic administration of MeSpd restored these parameters to almost control levels within 24 h. In vitro, polyamines dose-dependently inhibited fibrinolysis and intrinsic coagulation pathway. In LPS-induced coagulopathy, SSAT transgenic rats were more sensitive to the drug than their syngeneic littermates, and MeSpd-ameliorated LPS-induced coagulation disorders.

CONCLUSION

Pancreatitis-associated mortality in SSAT rats is due to coagulopathy that is alleviated by treatment with MeSpd.

Divergent regulation of the key enzymes of polyamine metabolism by chiral alpha-methylated polyamine analogues

The natural polyamines are ubiquitous multifunctional organic cations which play important roles in regulating cellular proliferation and survival. Here we present a novel approach to investigating polyamine functions by using optical isomers of MeSpd (alpha-methylspermidine) and Me2Spm (alpha,omega-bismethylspermine), metabolically stable functional mimetics of natural polyamines. We studied the ability of MeSpd and Me2Spm to alter the normal polyamine regulation pathways at the level of polyamine uptake and the major control mechanisms known to affect the key polyamine metabolic enzymes. These include: (i) ODC (ornithine decarboxylase), which catalyses the rate-limiting step of polyamine synthesis; (ii) ODC antizyme, an inhibitor of ODC and polyamine uptake; (iii) SSAT (spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase), the major polyamine catabolic enzyme; and (iv) AdoMetDC (S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase), which is required for the conversion of putrescine into spermidine, and spermidine into spermine. We show that the stereoisomers differ in their cellular uptake and ability to downregulate ODC and AdoMetDC, and to induce SSAT. These effects are mediated by the ability of the enantiomers to induce +1 ribosomal frameshifting on ODC antizyme mRNA, to suppress the translation of AdoMetDC uORF (upstream open reading frame) and to regulate the alternative splicing of SSAT pre-mRNA. The unique effects of chiral polyamine analogues on polyamine metabolism may offer novel possibilities for studying the physiological functions, control mechanisms, and targets of the natural polyamines, as well as advance therapeutic drug development in cancer and other human health-related issues.

A polyamine analog bismethylspermine ameliorates severe pancreatitis induced by intraductal infusion of taurodeoxycholate

BACKGROUND

Stable polyamine homeostasis is important for cell survival and regeneration. Our experimental studies have shown that catabolism of spermidine and spermine to putrescine is associated with the development of pancreatitis. We investigated the pathogenetic role of polyamine catabolism by studying the effect of a methylated polyamine analog on taurodeoxycholate-induced acute experimental pancreatitis.

METHODS

Acute pancreatitis was induced by infusion of sodium taurodeoxycholate (2%) into the pancreatic duct. Bismethylspermine (Me(2)Spm) was administered as a pretreatment before the induction of pancreatitis or as a treatment after the induction of pancreatitis. The sham operation included laparotomy only. Pancreas tissue and blood were sampled at 24 h and 72 h after the infusion of taurodeoxycholate and studied for pancreatitis severity (serum amylase activity, pancreatic water content, and histology) and polyamine catabolism, which includes spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase (SSAT) activity as well as spermidine, spermine, and putrescine concentrations in the pancreas.

RESULTS

Sodium taurodeoxycholate-induced acute pancreatitis manifests as increases in serum amylase and pancreatic water content, leukocytosis, and acinar cell necrosis in the pancreas. The activity of SSAT increased significantly together with an increase in the ratios of pancreatic putrescine/spermidine and putrescine/spermine at 24 h, which indicates SSAT-induced polyamine catabolism. Pancreatic water content and necrosis were reduced significantly by the treatment with Me(2)Spm at 24 h but not at 72 h when the polyamine homeostasis had recovered, and the pancreatitis had progressed.

CONCLUSIONS

Taurodeoxycholate-induced acute pancreatitis was associated with activation of polyamine catabolism in the pancreas. The polyamine analog Me(2)Spm ameliorated the injury in the early stage, but it did not ameliorate the late progression of the pancreatic necrosis at 72 h. Thus, besides proteolytic enzyme activation and the cascades of inflammation, polyamine catabolism may be an important pathogenetic mediator of the early stages of acute pancreatitis.

Role of hypusinated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A in polyamine depletion-induced cytostasis

We have earlier shown that alpha-methylated spermidine and spermine analogues rescue cells from polyamine depletion-induced growth inhibition and maintain pancreatic integrity under severe polyamine deprivation. However, because alpha-methylspermidine can serve as a precursor of hypusine, an integral part of functional eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A required for cell proliferation, and because alpha, omega-bismethylspermine can be converted to methylspermidine, it is not entirely clear whether the restoration of cell growth is actually attributable to hypusine formed from these polyamine analogues. Here, we have used optically active isomers of methylated spermidine and spermine and show that polyamine depletion-induced acute cytostasis in cultured cells could be reversed by all the isomers of the methylpolyamines irrespective of whether they served or not as precursors of hypusine. In transgenic rats with activated polyamine catabolism, all the isomers similarly restored liver regeneration and reduced plasma alpha-amylase activity associated with induced pancreatitis. Under the above experimental conditions, the (S, S)- but not the (R, R)-isomer of bismethylspermine was converted to methylspermidine apparently through the action of spermine oxidase strongly preferring the (S, S)-isomer. Of the analogues, however, only (S)-methylspermidine sustained cell growth during prolonged (more than 1 week) inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis. It was also the only isomer efficiently converted to hypusine, indicating that deoxyhypusine synthase likewise possesses hidden stereospecificity. Taken together, the results show that growth inhibition in response to polyamine depletion involves two phases, an acute and a late hypusine-dependent phase.

Mechanisms of polyamine catabolism-induced acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is an autodigestive disease, in which the pancreatic tissue is damaged by the digestive enzymes produced by the acinar cells. Among the tissues in the mammalian body, pancreas has the highest concentration of the natural polyamine, spermidine. We have found that pancreas is very sensitive to acute decreases in the concentrations of the higher polyamines, spermidine and spermine. Activation of polyamine catabolism in transgenic rats overexpressing SSAT (spermidine/spermine-N(1)-acetyltransferase) in the pancreas leads to rapid depletion of these polyamines and to acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Replacement of the natural polyamines with methylated polyamine analogues before the induction of acute pancreatitis prevents the development of the disease. As premature trypsinogen activation is a common, early event leading to tissue injury in acute pancreatitis in human and in experimental animal models, we studied its role in polyamine catabolism-induced pancreatitis. Cathepsin B, a lysosomal hydrolase mediating trypsinogen activation, was activated just 2 h after induction of SSAT. Pre-treatment of the rats with bismethylspermine prevented pancreatic cathepsin B activation. Analysis of tissue ultrastructure by transmission electron microscopy revealed early dilatation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, probable disturbance of zymogen packaging, appearance of autophagosomes and later disruption of intracellular membranes and organelles. Based on these results, we suggest that rapid eradication of polyamines from cellular structures leads to premature zymogen activation and autodigestion of acinar cells.

Polyamine-regulated unproductive splicing and translation of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase

Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT), the rate-controlling enzyme in the interconversion of spermidine and spermine, is regulated by polyamines and their analogs at many levels of gene expression. Recently, SSAT pre-mRNA has been shown to undergo alternative splicing by inclusion of an exon that contains premature termination codons. In the present study, we show that alterations in the intracellular polyamine level resulted in a change in the relative abundance of SSAT transcripts. Addition of polyamines or their N-diethylated analogs reduced the amount of the variant transcript, whereas polyamine depletion by 2-difluoromethylornithine or MG-132 enhanced the exon inclusion. Experiments performed with protein synthesis inhibitors and siRNA-mediated down-regulation of Upf1 protein verified that the variant transcript was degraded by nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Interestingly, several proteins have been shown to regulate their expression by alternative splicing-coupled NMD, termed regulated unproductive splicing and translation (RUST). Our present results suggest that in the case of SSAT, RUST is mediated by polyamines, and this system functions to fine-tune the polyamine metabolism.

activated polyamine catabolism in acute pancreatitis: alpha-methylated polyamine analogues prevent trypsinogen activation and pancreatitis-associated mortality

Polyamines are essential for normal cellular growth and function. Activation of polyamine catabolism in transgenic rats overexpressing spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase, the key enzyme in polyamine catabolism, results in severe acute pancreatitis. Here, we investigated the role of polyamine catabolism in pancreatitis and studied the effect of polyamine analogues on the outcome of the disease. Polyamine depletion was associated with arginine- and cerulein-induced pancreatitis as well as with human acute necrotizing and chronic secondary pancreatitis. Substitution of depleted polyamine pools with methylspermidine partially prevented arginine-induced necrotizing pancreatitis whereas cerulein-induced edematous pancreatitis remained unaffected. Transgenic rats receiving methylated polyamine analogues after the induction of pancreatitis showed less pancreatic damage than the untreated rats. Most importantly, polyamine analogues dramatically rescued the animals from pancreatitis-associated mortality. Induction of spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase in acinar cells isolated from transgenic rats resulted in increased trypsinogen activation. Pretreatment of acini with bismethylspermine prevented trypsinogen activation, indicating that premature proteolytic activation is one of the effects triggered by polyamine depletion. Our data suggest that activation of polyamine catabolism is a general pathway in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis and that experimental disease can be ameliorated with stable polyamine analogues.

Concentration-dependent effects ofN1,N11-diethylnorspermine on melanoma cell proliferation

N1, N11-diethylnorspermine (DENSPM) is a polyamine analog that is currently under investigation as a novel anticancer drug. Although it has shown promising preclinical activity, there has been large variation in responsiveness reported between different human cancers. During our studies into the causes of this variation, we observed a consistent increase in cell proliferation at low drug concentrations (<10 microM) in human melanoma cells resistant to the drug. At higher concentrations, growth inhibition was seen in all cell lines, with IC50 values ranging 2-180 microM. We hypothesized that DENSPM may mimic endogenous polyamines at low concentrations, supporting cell growth in resistant lines. We also observed that DENSPM downregulated polyamine transport in a manner similar to that for spermidine, a finding that confirms previous reports. Finally, DENSPM could rescue cells from growth arrest by the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor difluoromethylornithine, which depletes intracellular polyamines. Taken together, these results suggest that DENSPM, at clinically relevant concentrations, can mimic endogenous polyamines and induce proliferation in resistant human melanoma cells.

Alpha-methyl polyamines: efficient synthesis and tolerance studies in vivo and in vitro. First evidence for dormant stereospecificity of polyamine oxidase

Efficient syntheses of metabolically stable alpha-methylspermidine 1, alpha-methylspermine 2, and bis-alpha,alpha'-methylated spermine 3 starting from ethyl 3-aminobutyrate are described. The biological tolerance for these compounds was tested in wild-type mice and transgenic mice carrying the metallothionein promoter-driven spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase gene (MT-SSAT). The efficient substitution of natural polyamines by their derivatives was confirmed in vivo with the rats harboring the same MT-SSAT transgene and in vitro with the immortalized fibroblasts derived from these animals. Enantiomers of previously unknown 1-amino-8-acetamido-5-azanonane dihydrochloride 4 were synthesized starting from enantiomerically pure (R)- and (S)-alaninols. The studies with recombinant human polyamine oxidase (PAO) showed that PAO (usually splits achiral substrates) strongly favors the (R)-isomer of 4 that demonstrates for the first time that the enzyme has hidden potency for stereospecificity.

A Practical Synthesis of Kifunensine Analogues as Inhibitors of Endoplasmic Reticulum α-Mannosidase I

[reaction: see text] A practical synthesis of the potent class I alpha-mannosidase inhibitor kifunensine (1) beginning from the inexpensive and readily available starting material L-ascorbic acid (15) is described. The protected amino-alcohol ((2R,3R,4R,5R)-5-amino-2,3:4,6-diisopropylidenedioxyhexanol, 11) served as a key intermediate from which several N-1 substituted kifunensine analogues (including N-methyl, N-cyclohexyl, and N-bis(hydroxymethyl)methyl) and 2-desoxakifunensine analogues (including N-H and N-methyl) were prepared and screened for inhibition of human endoplasmic reticulum alpha-mannosidase I (ER Man I) and mouse Golgi alpha-mannosidase IA (Golgi Man IA). In addition, several pseudodisaccharide kifunensine analogues in which a mannose residue was tethered to N-1 of kifunensine via a two-, three-, or four-carbon linker and an affinity-bound kifunensine analogue were also prepared and evaluated for biological activity. While the synthesized N-1 kifunesine analogues were found to be less potent inhibitors of Class I alpha-mannosidases than kifuensine itself, the bis(hydroxymethyl)methylkifunensine analogue 6 was shown to selectively inhibit ER Man I over Golgi Man IA.

[New syntheses of alpha-methyl- and alpha,alpha'-dimethylspermine]

alpha-Methylspermine and alpha,alpha'-dimethylspermine were synthesized in high overall yields starting from N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-3-aminobutanol in order to study polyamine biochemistry in vitro and in vivo.

Pharmacological aspects of cytotoxic polyamine analogs and derivatives for cancer therapy

During the past 20 years, numerous derivatives and analogues of spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) were synthesized with the aim to generate a new type of anticancer drug. The common denominator of most cytotoxic polyamine analogues is their lipophilicity, which is superior to that of the parent amines. The natural polyamines bind to polyanions and to proteins with anionic binding sites. Their hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity is balanced, allowing them to perform physiological functions by interacting with some of these anionic structures, without impairing the functionality of others. Because the attachment of lipophilic substituents to the polyamine backbone increases the binding energy, lipophilic polyamine derivatives affect secondary and tertiary structures of a larger number of macromolecules than do their natural counterparts. In addition, lipophilicity improves the blood-brain barrier transport and thus enhances CNS toxicity. Close structural analogues of spermidine and spermine mimic the natural polyamines in regulatory functions. The cytotoxic mechanisms of analogues with a less close structural resemblance to spermidine or spermine have not been completely clarified. The displacement of spermidine from functional binding sites and the consequent prevention of its physiological roles is a likely mechanism, but many others may play a role as well. Up to now, polyamine analogues were conceived without specific growth-related targets in mind. To develop therapeutically useful drugs, it will be imperative to identify specific targets and to design compounds that interact selectively with the target molecules. It will also be necessary to include, at an early state of the work, pharmacological and toxicological considerations, to avoid unproductive directions.

Metabolic stability of alpha-methylated polyamine derivatives and their use as substitutes for the natural polyamines

Metabolically stable polyamine derivatives may serve as useful surrogates for the natural polyamines in studies aimed to elucidate the functions of individual polyamines. Here we studied the metabolic stability of alpha-methylspermidine, alpha-methylspermine, and bis-alpha-methylspermine, which all have been reported to fulfill many of the putative physiological functions of the natural polyamines. In vivo studies were performed with the transgenic rats overexpressing spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase. alpha-Methylspermidine effectively accumulated in the liver and did not appear to undergo any further metabolism. On the other hand, alpha-methylspermine was readily converted to alpha-methylspermidine and spermidine; similarly, bis-alpha-methylspermine was converted to alpha-methylspermidine to some extent, both conversions being inhibited by the polyamine oxidase inhibitor N(1), N(2)-bis(2,3-butadienyl)-1,4-butanediamine. Furthermore, we used recombinant polyamine oxidase, spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase, and the recently discovered spermine oxidase in the kinetic studies. In vitro studies confirmed that methylation did not protect spermine analogs from degradation, whereas the spermidine analog was stable. Both alpha-methylspermidine and bis-alpha-methylspermine overcame the proliferative block of early liver regeneration in transgenic rats and reversed the cytostasis induced by an inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase in cultured fetal fibroblasts.

A polyamine analogue prevents acute pancreatitis and restores early liver regeneration in transgenic rats with activated polyamine catabolism

We recently generated a transgenic rat model for acute pancreatitis, which was apparently caused by a massive depletion of pancreatic polyamines spermidine and spermine due to inducible activation of their catabolism (Alhonen, L., Parkkinen, J. J., Keinänen, T., Sinervirta, R., Herzig, K. H., and Jänne, J. (2000) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 97, 8290-8295). When subjected to partial hepatectomy, these animals showed striking activation of polyamine catabolism at 24 h postoperatively with a profound decrease in hepatic spermidine and spermine pools and failure to initiate liver regeneration. Here we show that pancreatitis in this model could be totally prevented, as judged by histopathology and plasma alpha-amylase activity, by administration of 1-methylspermidine, a metabolically stable analogue of spermidine. Similarly, the analogue, given prior to partial hepatectomy, restored early liver regeneration in the transgenic rats, as indicated by a dramatic increase in the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive hepatocytes from about 1% to more than 40% in response to the drug. The present results suggest that the extremely high concentration of spermidine in the pancreas, in fact the highest in the mammalian body, may have a critical role in maintaining organ integrity. The failure to initiate liver regeneration in the absence of sufficient hepatic polyamine pools similarly indicates that polyamines are required for proper commencement of the regenerative process.

A novel series of 2,6,7-substituted 2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin and 2,6,7-substituted 1,4-benzodioxin derivatives as lipid peroxidation inhibitors. Structure-activity relationships for high inhibition of human low-density lipoprotein peroxidation

A series of 6- or 7-substituted 2-carboxamido- or 2-(aminomethyl)-1,4-benzodioxin and -2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin derivatives were synthesized and evaluated to determine the necessary structural requirements for a high inhibition of human low-density lipoprotein copper-induced peroxidation. The most active compounds (21, 25, 28, 36, and 37) were found between 5 and >45 times more active than probucol itself. Due to both their potency and their structural features, compounds 25 and 36 were selected with others for complementary in vitro and in vivo investigations. Both of them exhibit calcium antagonist properties in the same range of potency as flunarizine itself. Compound 36 was also found to have significant hypolipaemic activity in mice at 100 and 300 mg/kg po, while compound 25 proved to be clearly active in a normobar hypoxia test.

Circular Dichroism and NMR Studies of Metabolically Stableα-Methylpolyamines: Spectral Comparison with Naturally Occurring Polyamines

Three synthetic polyamine analogs, alpha-methylspermine, and alpha,alpha'-dimethylspermine, were compared with their naturally occurring counterparts, spermidine and spermine, by two different spectral techniques. The interaction of polyamines with oligodeoxynucleotides was measured by circular dichroism in order to monitor the polyamine-induced conversion of right-handed B-DNA to the left-handed Z-form. The methylated analogs were shown to be equally effective as the natural polyamines in inducing the B --> Z transition. The pH dependence of the chemical shift of all carbon atoms in each of the five polyamines was measured by (13)C-NMR spectroscopy. With the exception of expected changes in chemical shift due to the presence of the alpha-methyl substituents, the chemical shifts and pH dependence of all carbon atoms in the three alpha-methyl polyamines were similar to the corresponding naturally occurring polyamines. The combined data indicate that alpha-methyl polyamines have physical properties that are very similar to their natural counterparts. The two metabolically stable polyamine analogs, alpha-methylspermidine and alpha,alpha'-dimethylspermine, are therefore useful surrogates for spermidine and spermine in the study of numerous polyamine-mediated effects in mammalian cell cultures and can be used in such studies without the requirement for coadministration of amine oxidase inhibitors.

Spermine oxidation leads to necrosis with plasma membrane phosphatidylserine redistribution in mouse leukemia cells

Oxidation by copper/quinone-containing serum amine oxidases (SAO) is a well-known cause of polyamine cytotoxicity. Spermine oxidation exerts potent immunosuppressive effects in animal cells, but the cell death mechanism involved remains unclear. We compared biochemical and morphological parameters of SAO-mediated cell death in L1210 mouse leukemia cells with normal or amplified ornithine decarboxylase gene expression with those observed during apoptosis induced by deregulated polyamine uptake or by okadaic acid. None of the characteristic features of apoptotic cell death (e.g., chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, internucleosomal DNA cleavage, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage) were observed during spermine oxidation-mediated cell death, which was clearly necrotic by morphological criteria. Inhibition of a wide spectrum of caspases did not prevent SAO-dependent cell death, whereas N-acetylcysteine completely abolished the cytotoxic effects of spermine oxidation. Catalase only delayed spermine oxidation-induced cell death without affecting its modality or preventing depletion of intracellular glutathione, suggesting that both H(2)O(2) and aminoaldehydes generated by SAO-mediated spermine oxidation contribute to SAO-induced necrosis. Interestingly, redistribution of phosphatidylserine to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, usually a diagnostic feature of apoptosis, preceded necrotic cytolysis triggered by spermine oxidation. Thus, L1210 cell death caused by SAO-mediated spermine oxidation has all the attributes of primary necrosis, but is also accompanied by loss of phospholipid asymmetry, indicating that the latter phenomenon may not be unique to apoptosis. Phosphatidylserine exposure, a potent engulfment signal for phagocytes, might contribute to the immunosuppressive effects of plasma polyamines through a controlled and rapid necrotic process involving SAO.

Structure-immunosuppressive activity relationships of new analogues of 15-deoxyspergualin. 2. Structural modifications of the spermidine moiety

A series of new analogues of 15-deoxyspergualin (DSG), an immunosuppressive agent commercialized in Japan, was synthesized and tested in a graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) model in mice. Various substitutions of the spermidine "D" region were made in order to determine its optimum structure in terms of in vivo immunosuppressive activity. Various positions of methylation were first investigated leading to the discovery of the monomethylated malonic derivative 56h in which the pro-R hydrogen of the methylene alpha to the primary amine of the spermidine moiety has been replaced by a methyl group. Synthesis of the similarly methylated analogue of the previously reported glycolic derivative LF 08-0299 afforded 60e which demonstrated a powerful activity at a dose as low as 0.3 mg/kg in the GVHD model and was much more potent than DSG in the demanding heart allotransplantation model in rats. The improvement of in vivo activity was supposed to be related to an increase of the metabolic stability of the methylated analogues compared to the parent molecules. Due to its very low active dose, compatible with a subcutaneous administration in humans, and its favorable pharmacological and toxicological profile, 60e was selected as a candidate for clinical evaluation.

Polyamine synthesis and transport inhibition in a human anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell line in vitro and as xenograft tumors

Polyamines are essential cellular components for neoplastic transformation and cell proliferation. Antineoplastic efforts that inhibit polyamine synthesis are insufficient to induce cytotoxicity, due to compensatory induction of polyamine transport. Treatment of an anaplastic human thyroid carcinoma cell line (DRO90-1) with a novel polymeric spermine conjugate (polyspermine; PSpm) caused in vitro cytotoxicity and inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors at low concentrations. Similar in vitro antineoplastic effects were noted with two other human anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell lines. This coincided with inhibition of polyamine uptake and synthetic enzyme activities, with reduced ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAM-DC) but increased spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) activities, as measured in DRO90-1 cells. In subsequent studies using these cells, PSpm was effective in reducing the intracellular levels of all polyamines in vitro, resulting in cytotoxicity that was not reversed by administration of extracellular polyamines. Low-dose PSpm inhibited tumor growth in vivo, but high doses of PSpm potentiated xenograft tumor growth. PSpm degradation products produced with in vivo treatment may be produced that function as substrates for polyamine biosynthesis. These studies suggest that polyamine metabolism inhibition is a viable target for antineoplastic therapy of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, although the in vivo response to PSpm suggests that this agent will have limited clinical utility.

Rapid induction of apoptosis by deregulated uptake of polyamine analogues

Treatment of Chinese hamster ovary cells with alpha-difluoromethylornithine for 3 days, followed by exposure to cycloheximide, led to an unregulated, rapid and massive accumulation of polyamine analogues. This accumulation led to cell death by apoptosis within a few hours. Clear evidence of DNA fragmentation was seen in response to both N-terminally ethylated polyamines and to polyamines containing methyl groups on the terminal carbon atoms. Programmed cell death was induced within 2-4 h of exposure to 1 microM or higher concentrations of N1,N11-bis(ethyl)norspermine. The presence of cycloheximide increased the uptake of the polyamine analogues and therefore led to cell death at lower analogue concentrations, but it was not essential for the induction of apoptosis, since similar effects were seen when the protein synthesis inhibitor was omitted and the concentration of N1, N11-bis(ethyl)norspermine was increased to 5 microM or more. The induction of apoptosis was blocked both by the addition of the caspase inhibitor N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone, or by the addition of the polyamine oxidase inhibitor N1-methyl-N2-(2,3-butadienyl)butane-1,4-diamine (MDL 72,527). These experiments provide evidence to support the concepts that: (1) polyamines or their oxidation products may be initiators of programmed cell death; (2) regulation of polyamine biosynthesis and uptake prevents the accumulation of toxic levels of polyamines; and (3) the anti-neoplastic effects of bis(ethyl) polyamine analogues may be due to the induction of apoptosis in sensitive tumour cells.

Inhibition of spermidine synthase gene expression by transforming growth factor-beta 1 in hepatoma cells

We screened genes responsive to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta 1) protein in a human hepatoma cell line (Hep3B) using a PCR-mediated differential display technique, in order to investigate the mechanisms involved in TGF-beta-induced growth suppression. We found a gene that was down-regulated by TGF-beta 1 to be completely identical in an approx. 620 bp segment to the gene for the enzyme spermidine synthase, which mediates the conversion of putrescine into spermidine. Both spermidine synthase mRNA expression and its enzyme activity were decreased after TGF-beta 1 treatment of Hep3B cells. The inhibition of spermidine synthase gene expression by TGF-beta 1 protein was also observed in other hepatoma cell lines. The expression of genes for other biosynthetic enzymes in polyamine metabolism (ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase) was also inhibited to the same extent as for spermidine synthase, while the gene expression of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, a catabolic enzyme, was relatively resistant to TGF-beta 1. Spermine levels in Hep3B cells were decreased by TGF-beta 1 treatment, although the levels of spermidine and putrescine were unchanged, probably due to compensation by remaining spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase activity. Exogenously added spermidine or spermine, but not putrescine, partially antagonized the growth-inhibitor effects of TGF-beta 1 on Hep3B cells. Our data suggest that down-regulation of gene expression of the enzymes involved in polyamine metabolism, including spermidine synthase, may be associated with the mechanism of TGF-beta-induced growth suppression.

Polyamine transport in mammalian cells. An update

The uptake and release of the natural polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine by mammalian cells are integral parts of the systems that regulate the intracellular concentrations of these biogenic amines according to needs. Although a general feature of all tissues, polyamine uptake into intestinal mucosa cells is perhaps the most obvious polyamine transport pathway of physiological and pathophysiological importance. Mutant cell lines lacking the ability to take up polyamines from the environment are capable of releasing polyamines. This indicates that uptake and release are functions of two different transport systems. The isolation of a transporter gene from a mammalian cell line is still lacking. Overaccumulation of polyamines is controlled by release and by a feedback regulation system that involves de novo synthesis of antizyme, a well known protein that also regulates the activity of ornithine decarboxylase. Recent work has demonstrated that Ca(2+)-signalling pathways are also involved. Although there is consensus about the importance of polyamine uptake inhibitors in the treatment of neoplastic disorders, a practically useful uptake inhibitor is still missing. However, the attempts to target tumours, and to increase the selectivity of cytotoxic agents by combining them with the polyamine structure, are promising. New, less toxic and more selective anticancer drugs can be expected from this approach.

Induction of apoptosis by excessive polyamine accumulation in ornithine decarboxylase-overproducing L1210 cells

Deregulation of polyamine transport in L1210 cells overexpressing ornithine decarboxylase leads to a lethal accumulation of spermidine. We now provide evidence that over-accumulation of natural and synthetic polyamines, but not putrescine, rapidly induces apoptosis, as shown by hypercondensation of peripheral chromatin and internucleosomal cleavage, followed by nuclear fragmentation. Polyamine oxidation is not responsible for the apoptosis observed. Thus, abnormally high polyamine pools could be an important physiological trigger of apoptosis.

Significant induction of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase without cytotoxicity by the growth-supporting polyamine analogue 1,12-dimethylspermine

The superinduction of the polyamine catabolic enzyme spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) has been implicated in the cell type-specific cytotoxic activity of some polyamine analogues. We now report that one polyamine analogue, 1,12-dimethylspermine (DMSpm), produces a large induction of SSAT with no significant effects on growth in the human large cell lung carcinoma line, NCl H157. This cell line has been demonstrated to respond to other analogues with SSAT superinduction and cell death. Treatment of the lung cancer cell line with DMSpm produces a rapid increase in SSAT activity and a near complete depletion of the natural polyamines. Additionally, DMSpm supports cell growth in cells which have been depleted of their natural polyamines by the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor, 2-difluoromethylornithine. The current results suggest that significant induction of SSAT can occur in the absence of cytotoxicity when the inducing polyamine analogue can support growth and that increased SSAT activity alone is not sufficient for cytotoxicity to occur.