title: Growth of mammalian cells in the absence of the accumulation of spermine.
abstract: Mammalian spermine synthase activity was strongly inhibited by S-methyl-5'-methylthioadenosine. This nucleoside was readily taken up by SV-3T3 cells and blocked the synthesis of spermine by these cells. However, there was a corresponding increase in spermidine content and there was no effect on cell growth. These results indicate that S-methyl-5'-methylthioadenosine should be a useful compound to evaluate the role of spermine in mammalian cell physiology and that in at least one cell line the synthesis of spermine is not required for a normal growth rate.
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D051379:Mice; D013096:Spermine / Q000378:metabolism*; D013097:Spermine Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013872:Thionucleosides / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013872:Thionucleosides; C047433:S-methyl-5'-methylthioadenosine; D013096:Spermine; D013097:Spermine Synthase; D000241:Adenosine