Polyamines, molecules necessary for cell division, colocalize with peptide growth factors.
The naturally occurring polyamines spermidine and spermine are necessary for cell division and growth. By restaining experiments, using three independent polyamine cytochemical methods, together with peptide immunocytochemistry, we show that substantial amounts of polyamines occur in a number of peptide growth factor-producing cell types. These include submandibular granular convoluted duct cells producing epidermal growth factor (EGF), pancreatic islet cells producing insulin and anterior pituitary cells producing growth hormone (GH). Other cell types in these tissues display only weak or no polyamine reactivity. Also blood platelets, known to contain platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), are strongly stained for polyamines. Moreover, in EGF cells, insulin cells and blood platelets, polyamines are clearly localized in secretory granules. The possibility that polyamines may be coreleased and act in concert with peptide growth factors is discussed.
Hougaard
D M
DM
Department of Molecular Cell Biology, State Serum Institute, Copenhagen/Denmark.
Larsson
L I
LI
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D011073:Polyamines / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013095:Spermidine / Q000378:metabolism; D013096:Spermine / Q000378:metabolism; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D011073:Polyamines; D013096:Spermine; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D013006:Growth Hormone; D013095:Spermidine