The chemically simple, biologically complex eukaryotic polyamines, spermidine and spermine, are positively charged alkylamines involved in many crucial cellular processes. Along with their diamine precursor putrescine, their normally high intracellular concentrations require fine attenuation by multiple regulatory mechanisms to keep these essential molecules within strict physiologic ranges. Since the metabolism of and requirement for polyamines are frequently dysregulated in neoplastic disease, the metabolic pathway and functions of polyamines provide rational drug targets; however, these targets have been difficult to exploit for chemotherapy. It is the goal of this article to review the latest findings in the field that demonstrate the potential utility of targeting the metabolism and function of polyamines as strategies for both chemotherapy and, possibly more importantly, chemoprevention.
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October 2016
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Cover Image
Cover Image
Crystal structure of human hemoglobin β subunit (PDB ID: 1A3N) with an in silico mutation of phenylalanine 41 to tyrosine (green) to enhance function as a blood substitute; image kindly provide by Brandon Reeder and Chris Cooper (University of Essex). For details see Silkstone et al. in this issue (pages 3371–3383).
Review Article|
September 27 2016
Targeting polyamine metabolism for cancer therapy and prevention
Tracy R. Murray-Stewart;
Tracy R. Murray-Stewart
1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans Street, Bunting, Blaustein Building, Room 551, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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Patrick M. Woster;
Patrick M. Woster
2Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Robert A. Casero, Jr
Robert A. Casero, Jr
1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans Street, Bunting, Blaustein Building, Room 551, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
April 26 2016
Revision Received:
June 09 2016
Accepted:
June 10 2016
Online ISSN: 1470-8728
Print ISSN: 0264-6021
© 2016 The Author(s); published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society
2016
Biochem J (2016) 473 (19): 2937–2953.
Article history
Received:
April 26 2016
Revision Received:
June 09 2016
Accepted:
June 10 2016
Citation
Tracy R. Murray-Stewart, Patrick M. Woster, Robert A. Casero; Targeting polyamine metabolism for cancer therapy and prevention. Biochem J 1 October 2016; 473 (19): 2937–2953. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20160383
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