Polyamine

The polyamines are organic compounds, such as putrescine, spermidine[?], and spermine[?], that are growth factors in both eucaryotic and procaryotic cells. They are synthesized in cells in pathways that are very highly regulated. The actual function of these compounds is not entirely clear. As cations, they do bind to DNA, and structurally, they represent compounds with cations that are found at regularly spaced intervals (unlike, say, Mg⁺⁺ or Ca⁺⁺, which are point charges).

Note: insert structures here

If synthesis of polyamines are blocked, then cell growth is stopped or profoundly slowed. The provision of exogenous polyamines restores the growth of these cells.

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Further information

Polyamines in cell cyle proliferation and cell death

http://www.biol.lu.se/zoofysiol/Cellprolif/Research/research_area_1