Open AccessA proposed function for spermine and spermidine: protection of replicating DNA against damage by singlet oxygen.
Author(s) -
Ahsan U. Khan,
Ying-Hua Mei,
Thérèse Wilson
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.89.23.11426
Subject(s) - spermidine , spermine , singlet oxygen , dna , chemistry , dna damage , polyamine , biochemistry , in vivo , oxygen , photochemistry , biophysics , biology , organic chemistry , enzyme , microbiology and biotechnology
Like all aliphatic amines, the polyamines spermine and spermidine are physical quenchers of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2*). The rate constants of these processes were determined in vitro with photochemically generated 1O2* and the hydrocarbon rubrene as substrate, in pyridine. At millimolar concentration, spermine and spermidine should quench 1O2* in vivo and prevent it from damaging DNA. It is proposed that a biological function of polyamines is the protection of replicating DNA against oxidative damage.