title: Polyamine involvement in the cell cycle, apoptosis, and autoimmunity.
abstract: The polyamines: putrescine, spermidine and spermine, are ubiquitous polycations which have numerous, unique interactions in eukaryotic cells. Polyamines are essential for cell growth, with the bulk of polyamine expression co-ordinated with the cell cycle. The length, charge, and charge distribution of polyamines permit them to interact with large anionic molecules such as DNA, RNA, and phospholipids. Here, a mechanism is proposed whereby cell cycle expression of polyamines at the start of S phase leads to disruption of transcription and splicing, giving priority to DNA and histone synthesis. Inappropriate initiation of this process in non-viable cells leads to apoptosis and may be an underlying cause of autoimmunity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin 53226, USA.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Brooks
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D015551:Autoimmunity; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002455:Cell Division; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D011073:Polyamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D012326:RNA Splicing; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; D010743:Phospholipids; D011073:Polyamines; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase