A proposed function for spermine and spermidine: protection of replicating DNA against damage by singlet oxygen.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 1454830.
- Also identified by PMC identifier 50563.
- No licence information is recorded for this record.
- Because redistribution is not established, this page shows the abstract only. Follow the links below for the full text.
Abstract
Like all aliphatic amines, the polyamines spermine and spermidine are physical quenchers of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2*). The rate constants of these processes were determined in vitro with photochemically generated 1O2* and the hydrocarbon rubrene as substrate, in pyridine. At millimolar concentration, spermine and spermidine should quench 1O2* in vivo and prevent it from damaging DNA. It is proposed that a biological function of polyamines is the protection of replicating DNA against oxidative damage.
Medical subject headings
- DNA Damage
- DNA Replication
- Reactive Oxygen Species
- Spermidine
- Spermine