title: Ornithine decarboxylase as a biological and pharmacological tool.
abstract: Ornithine decarboxylase, the initial enzyme in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, is induced in target tissues in response to a variety of trophic agents including polypeptide and amine trophic hormones, cyclic AMP analogs, drugs, and trophic steroid hormones. The induction of ornithine decarboxylase in these systems is regulated at a transcriptional level and is proportional to the extent of stimulation. Because of its rapid half-life (10-20 min), a general maximum of induction is detectable within 4-5 h of stimulation, and its induction pattern can serve as a rapid, specific index of increased RNA and protein synthesis. Implications for its usefulness to pharmacologists, endocrinologists, physiologists, and biochemists are summarized.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002262:Carboxy-Lyases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D006728:Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D002262:Carboxy-Lyases; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase