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Significant induction of spermidine/spermine N 1 ‐acetyltransferase without cytotoxicity by the growth‐supporting polyamine analogue 1,12‐dimethylspermine
Author(s) -
Yang Jianing,
Xiao Lei,
Berkey Kimberly A.,
Tamez Pamela A.,
Coward James K.,
Casero Robert A.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.1041650109
Subject(s) - spermidine , spermine , polyamine , cytotoxicity , ornithine decarboxylase , putrescine , acetyltransferase , cell culture , biochemistry , cell growth , chemistry , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , enzyme , in vitro , acetylation , genetics , gene
The superinduction of the polyamine catabolic enzyme spermidine/spermine N 1 ‐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, NCI 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. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss Inc.