Spermine

Description

Spermine is an endogenous polyamine synthesized from the reaction of spermidine with decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine in the presence of the enzyme spermine synthase and is required for eukaryotic cell growth and protein synthesis. Intracellular spermine blocks inward rectifying K⁺ channels, whereas extracellular spermine acts as a mixed NMDA glutamate receptor agonist/antagonist at the polyamine site. Spermine has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects and functions as a free radical scavenger to prevent DNA damage by reactive oxygen species.

Description

The tetraamine spermine is biosynthesized from the triamine spermidine, which is produced from the diamine putrescine. Anton van Leeuwenhoek, the microscopy pioneer, described spermine crystals in human semen in 1678, and spermidine was also first detected in sperm. Despite their names, both polyamines are ubiquitous in organisms and have several biological functions.

Chemical properties

White to slightly off-white powder crysta

The Uses of Spermine

Binds to the polyamine modulatory site of NMDA Spermine is essential for both normal and neoplastic tissue growth. It is involved in the modulation of calcium-dependent immune processes. It plays an important role in cellular proliferation and differentiation as well as inhibits neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS).

The Uses of Spermine

Biogenic polyamine formed from spermidine and occurring in almost all tissues. Essential for both normal and neoplastic tissue growth. Involved in the modulation of calcium-dependent immune processes

The Uses of Spermine

immune modulator

What are the applications of Application

Spermine is a NOS1 inhibitor, NMDA activator, and GluR inhibitor

Definition

ChEBI: A polyazaalkane that is tetradecane in which the carbons at positions 1, 5, 10 and 14 are replaced by nitrogens. Spermine has broad actions on cellular metabolism.

General Description

Spermine?is a polyamine, which functions as a free radical scavenger. It modulates gene expression, chromatin stabilization and prevents DNA damage. Spermine inhibits endonuclease-mediated DNA fragmentation.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Mixed NMDA glutamate receptor agonist/antagonist at the polyamine site. Neuroprotective effects have been observed at high concentrations (1 mM), while neurotoxicity is observed at lower concentrations. It enhances agonist effectiveness at the strychnine-insensitive glycine site. Plays a role in cellular proliferation and differentiation; inhibits neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS).

storage

+4°C (desiccate)

References

[1] fakler b, brndle u, glowatzki e, et al. strong voltage-dependent inward rectification of inward rectifier k+ channels is caused by intracellular spermine[j]. cell, 1995, 80(1): 149-154.
[2] til h p, falke h e, prinsen m k, et al. acute and subacute toxicity of tyramine, spermidine, spermine, putrescine and cadaverine in rats[j]. food and chemical toxicology, 1997, 35(3): 337-348.