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GCN2 is one of the main sensors of amino acid starvation stress, and its activation in the stressful tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in tumor survival and progression. We hypothesized that elevated polyamine biosynthesis and subsequent depletion of precursor arginine activates GCN2, thus rewiring metabolism to support tumor cell survival and drive myeloid immunosuppressive function. We sought to determine if the anti-tumor efficacy of a polyamine blocking therapy (PBT) may be mediated by its effect on GCN2. Unlike wild-type mice, PBT treatment in GCN2 knockout mice bearing syngeneic B16.F10 or EG7 tumors resulted in no tumor growth inhibition and no changes in the profile of infiltrating tumor immune cells. Studies with murine bone marrow cell cultures showed that increased polyamine metabolism and subsequent arginine depletion and GCN2 activation played an essential role in the generation and cytoprotective autophagy of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) as well as the M2 polarization and survival of macrophages, all of which were inhibited by PBT. In all, our data suggest that polyamine-dependent GCN2 signaling in stromal cells promotes tumor growth and the development of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and that the PBT anti-tumor effect is mediated, at least in part, by targeting GCN2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GCN2 is one of the main sensors of amino acid starvation stress, and its activation in the stressful tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in tumor survival and progression. We hypothesized that elevated polyamine biosynthesis and subsequent depletion of precursor arginine activates GCN2, thus rewiring metabolism to support tumor cell survival and drive myeloid immunosuppressive function. We sought to determine if the anti-tumor efficacy of a polyamine blocking therapy (PBT) may be mediated by its effect on GCN2. Unlike wild-type mice, PBT treatment in GCN2 knockout mice bearing syngeneic B16.F10 or EG7 tumors resulted in no tumor growth inhibition and no changes in the profile of infiltrating tumor immune cells. Studies with murine bone marrow cell cultures showed that increased polyamine metabolism and subsequent arginine depletion and GCN2 activation played an essential role in the generation and cytoprotective autophagy of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) as well as the M2 polarization and survival of macrophages, all of which were inhibited by PBT. In all, our data suggest that polyamine-dependent GCN2 signaling in stromal cells promotes tumor growth and the development of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and that the PBT anti-tumor effect is mediated, at least in part, by targeting GCN2.

The polyamines, spermine (Spm) and spermidine (Spd), are important for cell growth and function. Their homeostasis is strictly controlled, and a key downregulator of the polyamine pool is the polyamine-inducible protein, antizyme 1 (OAZ1). OAZ1 inhibits polyamine uptake and targets ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-limiting enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis, for proteasomal degradation. Here we report, for the first time, that polyamines induce dimerization of mouse recombinant full-length OAZ1, forming an (OAZ1)2-Polyamine complex. Dimerization could be modulated by functionally active C-methylated spermidine mimetics (MeSpds) by changing the position of the methyl group along the Spd backbone—2-MeSpd was a poor inducer as opposed to 1-MeSpd, 3-MeSpd, and Spd, which were good inducers. Importantly, the ability of compounds to inhibit polyamine uptake correlated with the efficiency of the (OAZ1)2-Polyamine complex formation. Thus, the (OAZ1)2-Polyamine complex may be needed to inhibit polyamine uptake. The efficiency of polyamine-induced ribosomal +1 frameshifting of OAZ1 mRNA could also be differentially modulated by MeSpds—2-MeSpd was a poor inducer of OAZ1 biosynthesis and hence a poor downregulator of ODC activity unlike the other MeSpds. These findings offer new insight into the OAZ1-mediated regulation of polyamine homeostasis and provide the chemical tools to study it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

l-proline (Pro) is a precursor of ornithine, which is converted into polyamines via ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Polyamines plays a key role in the proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells. The study investigated the effect of Pro on polyamine metabolism and cell proliferation on porcine enterocytes in vivo and in vitro. Twenty-four Huanjiang mini-pigs were randomly assigned into 1 of 3 groups and fed a basal diet that contained 0.77% alanine (Ala, iso-nitrogenous control), 1% Pro or 1% Pro + 0.0167% α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) from d 15 to 70 of gestation. The fetal body weight and number of fetuses per litter were determined, and the small and large intestines were obtained on d 70 ± 1.78 of gestation. The in vitro study was performed in intestinal porcine epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium-high glucose (DMEM-H) containing 0 μmol/L Pro, 400 μmol/L Pro, or 400 μmol/L Pro + 10 mmol/L DFMO for 4 d. The results showed that maternal dietary supplementation with 1% Pro increased fetal weight; the protein and DNA concentrations of the fetal small intestine; and mRNA levels for potassium voltage-gated channel, shaker-related subfamily, member 1 (Kv1.1) in the fetal small and large intestines (P < 0.05). Supplementing Pro to either gilts or IPEC-J2 cells increased ODC protein abundances and polyamine concentrations in the fetal intestines and IPEC-J2 cells (P

The present report provides information on aspects of the pathogenesis of the infectious process induced by SARS-CoV-2. The authors put forward a hypothesis according to which COVID-19 should be considered as an infectious disease of a systemic character. This conclusion was based on some facts, which are hardly possible to deny. Firstly, from our viewpoint, a number of authors have expressed a well-grounded opinion, according to which, "multiple organ dysfunction syndrome" occurs in COVID-19. Therefore, such a conclusion testifies in favor of systemic damage to organs and tissues. Secondly, a number of studies, also cited in this publication, provide information on the involvement of the gastrointestinal tract organs in the infectious process caused by SARS-19, which allowed the authors to put forward the concept of the existence of the lung-gastrointestinal tract axis. This conclusion is based on studies which establish that SARS-CoV-2 by receptor mechanism binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme-2, which is localized throughout the digestive system. Thirdly, in our opinion, it is possible that a similar enzyme receptor uptake mechanism of ACE-2 by SARS-CoV-2, which is competitive with angiotensin-2, is involved in many internal organs, which makes it possible to start a general pathological process, which also indicates the systemic nature of COVID -19. Fourth, it is possible that SARS-CoV-2 has a widespread cytotoxic effect on blood cells, which is also realized through the receptor mechanism. Apparently, the process of thrombus formation with partly involvement of "deformed erythrocytes" in it has systemic character, especially since SARS-CoV-2, in our opinion, for its functional activity begins to "utilize" polyamines contained in erythrocytes. This report presents our own concept of possible mechanisms of thrombus formation that occur exclusively in all organs involved in COVID-19 infection. Since aliphatic polyamines localized in target cells and in the very nucleocapsids of SARS-CoV-2 are given an important role in ensuring the functional activity of SARS-CoV, the authors of this publication recommend the use of drugs that prevent the synthesis of polyamines in the general treatment regimen for COVID-19. As such means, the authors of this publication support the well-founded recommendations of a number of advanced researchers who recommend the use of α-difluoromethylornithine in COVID-19, since this compound has a unique ability to suppress the synthesis of polyamines at the earliest stages of their synthesis, i.e. enzymatic transformation of ornithine into putrescine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report provides the authors' viewpoints on the prospects of carrying out several therapeutic and prophylactic measures aimed at least improving the health of patients suffering from COVID-19. In addition, the authors have some doubts (fears) of using vaccines, the production of which is currently involved in well-known commercial pharmaceutical enterprises and scientific institutions of a number of leading countries of the world. At the same time, the authors place special emphasis on the scientific and technological process of vaccine production, when, as "initial raw materials", in each specific case, are used separate variations from the general structure of viruses pathogenic for humans, including SARS-CoV-19, integral killed coronaviruses, crossreactive antibodies to SARS-CoV-19, which are obtained as a result of appropriate scientific and technological preparation of other viruses (for example, arboviruses). How effective these vaccines will turn out to be is a matter of time, primarily due to their "approbation" on a wide contingent of people of different nationalities and living in different regions of the world. According to the authors, the effectiveness of vaccines in many respects depends on the intensity degree and relatively long-term binding of specific antibodies to viruses, as well as on the results of active vaccination, especially since coronaviruses are characterized by a very wide variability of antigenic determinants, represented, in particular, by at least six antigen receptors. The authors' doubts in this aspect served as a prerequisite for recommending new scientific and methodological approaches for COVID-19 treatment, based on the principles of suppressing the functional activity of SARS-CoV-2, both at the initial stages of binding the virus to the target cell membrane of the infected organism, and in the processes of their endocytosis, translation, replication and exocytosis of daughter viruses. A detailed analysis of modern informative literary sources, as well as their own research, according to the authors, can serve as a real prerequisite for including α-difluoromethylornithine in the general treatment regimen for COVID-19 patients, a drug that selectively inhibits the initial stages of polyamine synthesis, thereby leading to significant suppression of SARS-CoV-2 biological activity in the infected organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present article is based on the analysis of very informative literary sources, which provide information on the role of aliphatic polyamines in the replication processes of a wide range of viruses pathogenic for humans. Available scientific achievements in this direction most likely indicate that some viruses pathogenic for humans contain polyamines, which are directly involved in the replication processes of daughter viruses. As the “depletion of the polyamine reserve” of viruses, the latter begin to use polyamines localized in the target cells of the infected organism to maintain replication processes. In our opinion, erythrocytes and polyamine-rich resident microorganisms migrating to the lungs as a result of bacterial translocation can act as other intracorporeal sources for persistent viruses. The possible role of bacteriophages in the “utilization” processes of bacterial polyamines is being discussed. We discuss a thesis, according to which one of the mechanisms involved in viral-bacterial coinfection, providing access to viruses of bacterial polyamines, at the depletion stage of polyamines in the target cell of the macroorganism, is bacteriophagy, manifested, at least by the presence of “transformed” viruses in the form of monovalent and typical phages (T-phages). We make the assumption that it is possible that COVID-19, like another representative of the coronavirus family – the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV), contains polyamines that are so necessary to ensure their replication in a macroorganism. In connection with the above, in case of coronavirus infection caused in patients with COVID-19, it is advisable, if not necessary, in our opinion, to conduct studies that are presented in a chronic aspect: To determine the content of polyamines in patients infected with COVID-19, in plasma, blood erythrocytes and pulmonary exudate, depending on the severity of the pathological process, After analyzing laboratory studies (conducting high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the determination of polyamines in the above biological objects) carry out clinical studies by including α-difluoromethylornithine, a known blocker of aliphatic polyamine synthesis, in the general treatment regimen for COVID-19. All patients infected with COVID-19, regardless of the pathological process severity, should be recommended a special diet, using exclusively products characterized by an extremely low (or absence) content of aliphatic polyamines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyamines (PAs), such as spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM), are essential to promote cell growth, survival, proliferation, and longevity. In the adult central nervous system (CNS), SPD and SPM are accumulated predominantly in healthy adult glial cells where PA synthesis is not present. To date, the accumulation and biosynthesis of PAs in developing astrocytes are not well understood. The purpose of the present study was to determine the contribution of uptake and/or synthesis of PAs using proliferation of neonatal astrocytes as an endpoint. We inhibited synthesis of PAs using α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO; an inhibitor of the PA biosynthetic enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC)) and inhibited uptake of PAs using trimer44NMe (PTI; a novel polyamine transport inhibitor). DFMO, but not PTI alone, blocked proliferation, suggesting that PA biosynthesis was present. Furthermore, exogenous administration of SPD rescued cell proliferation when PA synthesis was blocked by DFMO. When both synthesis and uptake of PAs were inhibited (DFMO + PTI), exogenous SPD no longer supported proliferation. These data indicate that neonatal astrocytes synthesize sufficient quantities of PAs de novo to support cell proliferation, but are also able to import exogenous PAs. This suggests that the PA uptake mechanism is present in both neonates as well as in adults and can support cell proliferation in neonatal astrocytes when ODC is blocked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemopreventive drug α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) has been shown to have an antinociceptive effect on mechanical allodynia in inflammatory arthritis by directly inhibiting ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and decreasing polyamine production in inflammatory sites. However, little is known about the effect of DFMO on the immune system of inflammatory arthritis. Here, we investigated the effect of DFMO in a well-established collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model and explored its effect on the immune system. The effect of DFMO on the frequency of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the spleens of CIA mice and their associations with disease severity, tissue inflammation and the levels of proinflammatory T-helper (Th) 17 cells in lymphoid tissues were investigated. The effects of DFMO on disease severity and Th17 cells were compared with those of antibody depletion of MDSCs. The arthritis severity was also evaluated by adoptive transfer of MDSCs derived from DFMO- or dH 2 O-treated mice. In this study, we showed that both MDSCs and Th17 cells were significantly expanded in CIA mice. Treatment by DFMO at the onset of CIA suppressed the development of arthritis and decreased the frequency of MDSCs and Th17 cells. MDSC depletion by anti-Gr-1 mAb achieved a similar result, while combination treatment of both methods did not achieve a significant difference compared to either of the single treatments. In addition, the adoptive transfer of MDSCs derived from dH 2 O-treated mice with CIA restored the arthritis severity of CIA in mice treated with anti-Gr-1 mAb, while the transfer of MDSCs from DFMO-treated mice did not have such an effect. Our results identified DFMO as a potential therapeutic drug for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis. • α-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) is effective in preventing arthritis in a murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. • DFMO exerts an indirect immune-mediated anti-arthritic effect by impairing MDSC in CIA mice. • DFMO could be a potential therapeutic drug for inflammatory arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyamine spermidine is essential for the proliferation of eukaryotic cells. Administration of polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) induces cytostasis that occurs in two phases; the early phase which can be reversed by spermidine, spermine, and some of their analogs, and the late phase which is characterized by practically complete depletion of cellular spermidine pool. The growth of cells at the late phase can be reversed by spermidine and by very few of its analogs, including (S)-1-methylspermidine. It was reported previously (Witherspoon et al. Cancer Discovery 3(9); 1072–81, 2013) that DFMO treatment leads to depletion of cellular thymidine pools, and that exogenous thymidine supplementation partially prevents DFMO-induced cytostasis without affecting intracellular polyamine pools in HT-29, SW480, and LoVo colorectal cancer cells. Here we show that thymidine did not prevent DFMO-induced cytostasis in DU145, LNCaP, MCF7, CaCo2, BT4C, SV40MES13, HepG2, HEK293, NIH3T3, ARPE19 or HT-29 cell lines, whereas administration of functionally active mimetic of spermidine, (S)-1-methylspermidine, did. Thus, the effect of thymidine seems to be specific only for certain cell lines. We conclude that decreased polyamine levels and possibly also distorted pools of folate-dependent metabolites mediate the anti-proliferative actions of DFMO. However, polyamines are necessary and sufficient to overcome DFMO-induced cytostasis, while thymidine is generally not.

A comparative study of the anticarcinogenic activity of synthetic polyamine inhibitor α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and three plant drugs on the model of radiation carcinogenesis was carried out in 615 female Wistar rats subjected to total body γ-irradiation at a dose of 4 Gy. After the irradiation the rats were given for 16 months with drinking water DFMO at a concentration of 2 g/l, tincture from biomass of tissue culture of ginseng root (bioginseng) at a concentration of 20 ml/l, tincture of Siberian ginseng root, or tincture of maral root rhizome at a concentration of 10 ml/l each. The incidence and multiplicity of malignant and benign tumors of the mammary gland, endocrine and reproductive organs, and other localizations were assessed. Bioginseng had the strongest anticarcinogenic activity. In comparison with the irradiated control bioginseng significantly decreased the overall incidence and multiplicity of tumors by 35 % and 58 %, correspondingly, and also significantly decreased ones of malignant tumors by 60 % and 65 %, correspondingly. Anticarcinogenic efficiency of DFMO was weaker compared with bioginseng and Siberian ginseng had the most weak anticarcinogenic activity. Maral root did not influence significantly on the radiation carcinogenesis. The drugs of ginseng are the most promising for chemoprevention of late oncologic consequences of radiation expo

Mutant serine/threonine protein kinase B-Raf (BRAF) protein is expressed in over half of all melanoma tumors. Although BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) elicit rapid anti-tumor responses in the majority of patients with mutant BRAF melanoma, the tumors inevitably relapse after a short time. We hypothesized that polyamines are essential for tumor survival in mutant BRAF melanomas. These tumors rely on both polyamine biosynthesis and an upregulated polyamine transport system (PTS) to maintain their high intracellular polyamine levels. We evaluated the effect of a novel arylpolyamine (AP) compound that is cytotoxic upon cellular entry via the increased PTS activity of melanoma cells with different BRAF mutational status. Mutant BRAF melanoma cells demonstrated greater PTS activity and increased sensitivity to AP compared to wild type BRAF (BRAFWT) melanoma cells. Treatment with an inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis, α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), further upregulated PTS activity in mutant BRAF cells and increased their sensitivity to AP. Furthermore, viability assays of 3D spheroid cultures of mutant BRAF melanoma cells demonstrated greater resistance to the BRAFi, PLX4720, compared to 2D monolayer cultures. However, co-treatment with AP restored the sensitivity of melanoma spheroids to PLX4720. These data indicate that mutant BRAF melanoma cells are more dependent on the PTS compared to BRAFWT melanoma cells, resulting in greater sensitivity to the PTS-targeted cytotoxic AP compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In preclinical models, α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitor, delays the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D) by reducing β cell stress. However, the mechanism of DFMO action and its human tolerability remain unclear. In this study, we show that mice with β cell ODC deletion are protected against toxin-induced diabetes, suggesting a cell-autonomous role of ODC during β cell stress. In a randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02384889) involving 41 recent-onset T1D subjects (3:1 drug:placebo) over a 3-month treatment period with a 3-month follow-up, DFMO (125-1,000 mg/m 2 ) is shown to meet its primary outcome of safety and tolerability. DFMO dose-dependently reduces urinary putrescine levels and, at higher doses, preserves C-peptide area under the curve without apparent immunomodulation. Transcriptomics and proteomics of DFMO-treated human islets exposed to cytokine stress reveal alterations in mRNA translation, nascent protein transport, and protein secretion. These findings suggest that DFMO may preserve β cell function in T1D through islet cell-autonomous effects., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests R.G.M., L.A.D., and E.W.G. are coauthors on a patent application using DFMO for treatment of β cell dysfunction in T1D. E.W.G. is an employee of Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Mutant serine/threonine protein kinase B-Raf (BRAF) protein is expressed in over half of all melanoma tumors. Although BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) elicit rapid anti-tumor responses in the majority of patients with mutant BRAF melanoma, the tumors inevitably relapse after a short time. We hypothesized that polyamines are essential for tumor survival in mutant BRAF melanomas. These tumors rely on both polyamine biosynthesis and an upregulated polyamine transport system (PTS) to maintain their high intracellular polyamine levels. We evaluated the effect of a novel arylpolyamine (AP) compound that is cytotoxic upon cellular entry via the increased PTS activity of melanoma cells with different BRAF mutational status. Mutant BRAF melanoma cells demonstrated greater PTS activity and increased sensitivity to AP compared to wild type BRAF (BRAFWT) melanoma cells. Treatment with an inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis, α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), further upregulated PTS activity in mutant BRAF cells and increased their sensitivity to AP. Furthermore, viability assays of 3D spheroid cultures of mutant BRAF melanoma cells demonstrated greater resistance to the BRAFi, PLX4720, compared to 2D monolayer cultures. However, co-treatment with AP restored the sensitivity of melanoma spheroids to PLX4720. These data indicate that mutant BRAF melanoma cells are more dependent on the PTS compared to BRAFWT melanoma cells, resulting in greater sensitivity to the PTS-targeted cytotoxic AP compound.

Since antizyme (AZ) is known to inhibit cell proliferation and to increase apoptosis, the question arises as to whether these effects occur independently of polyamines. Intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) were grown in control medium and medium containing 5 mM difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) to inhibit ODC, DFMO + 5 µM spermidine (SPD), DFMO + 5 µM spermine (SPM), or DFMO + 10 µM putrescine (PUT) for 4 days and various parameters of growth were measured along with AZ levels. Cell counts were significantly decreased and mean doubling times were significantly increased by DFMO. Putrescine restored growth in the presence of DFMO. However, both SPD and SPM when added with DFMO caused a much greater inhibition of growth than did DFMO alone, and both of these polyamines caused a dramatic increase in AZ. The addition of SPD or SPM to media containing DFMO + PUT significantly inhibited growth and caused a significant increase in AZ. IEC-6 cells transfected with AZ-siRNA grew more than twice as rapidly as either control cells or those incubated with DFMO, indicating that removal of AZ increases growth in cells in which polyamine synthesis is inhibited as well as in control cells. In a separate experiment, the addition of SPD increased AZ levels and inhibited growth of cells incubated with DFMO by 50 %. The addition of 10 mM asparagine (ASN) prevented the increase in AZ and restored growth to control levels. These results show that cell growth in the presence or absence of ODC activity and in the presence or absence of polyamines depends only on the levels of AZ. Therefore, the effects of AZ on cell growth are independent of polyamines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: Polyamines are organic polycations playing an essential role in cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as in cell contractility, migration and apoptosis. These processes are known to contribute to restenosis, a pathophysiological process often occurring in patients submitted to revascularization procedures. We aimed to test the effect of α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, on vascular cell pathophysiology in vitro and in a rat model of carotid arteriotomy-induced (re)stenosis. Methods: The effect of DFMO on primary rat smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and mouse microvascular bEnd.3 endothelial cells (ECs) was evaluated through the analysis of DNA synthesis, polyamine concentration, cell viability, cell cycle phase distribution and by RT-PCR targeting cyclins and genes belonging to the polyamine pathway. The effect of DFMO was then evaluated in arteriotomy-injured rat carotids through the analysis of cell proliferation and apoptosis, RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis of differential gene expression. Results: DFMO showed a differential effect on SMCs and on ECs, with a marked, sustained anti-proliferative effect of DFMO at 3 and 8days of treatment on SMCs and a less pronounced, late effect on bEnd.3 ECs at 8days of DFMO treatment. DFMO applied perivascularly in pluronic gel at arteriotomy site reduced subsequent cell proliferation and preserved smooth muscle differentiation without affecting the endothelial coverage. Lumen area in DFMO-treated carotids was 49% greater than in control arteries 4weeks after injury. Conclusions: Our data support the key role of polyamines in restenosis and suggest a novel therapeutic approach for this pathophysiological process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effects of α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and Siberian ginseng root tincture (SGRT) on radiation-induced carcinogenesis in rats and their lifespan have been studied. It has been shown that both DFMO and SGRT increased the survival rate as well as decreased the rate and multiplicity of malignant and benign tumors in irradiated rats. The beneficial effect of DFMO on the survival rate and its anticarcinogenic action are more pronounced than SGRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of potential DFMO prodrugs was designed through the incorporation of 4-nitrobenzyl ester or carbamate groups for potential activation by trypanosomal nitroreductase. It was found that only modification of N ε-amino group of DFMO by 4-nitro-2-fluorobenzyloxycarbonyl resulted in significant trypanocidal activity and could serve as a lead for further investigation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Mononuclear platinum anticancer agents hold a pivotal place in the treatment of many forms of cancers, however, there is a potential to improve response to evade resistance development and toxic side effects. BBR3464 is a promising trinuclear platinum anticancer agent, which is a polyamine mimic. The aim was to investigate the influence of polyamine pool reduction on the cytotoxic effects of the trinuclear platinum complex BBR3464 and cisplatin. Polyamine pool reduction was achieved by treating cells with either the polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) or the polyamine analogue N1,N11-diethylnorspermine (DENSPM). Methods: A human squamous cell carcinoma cell line, LU-HNSCC-4, established from a primary head and neck tumour was used to evaluate cellular effects of each drug alone or combinations thereof. High-performance liquid-chromatography was used to quantify intracellular polyamine contents. Inductively coupled mass spectroscopy was used to quantify intracellular platinum uptake. Cells were exposed to DFMO or DENSPM during 48 h at concentrations ranging from 0 to 5 mM or 0 to 10 µM, respectively. Thereafter, non-treated and treated cells were exposed to cisplatin or BBR3464 during 1 h at concentrations ranging from 0 to 100 µM. A 96-well assay was used to determine cytotoxicity after five days after treatment. Results: The cytotoxic effect of BBR3464 on LU-HNSCC-4 cells was increased after cells were pre-treated with DENSPM or DFMO, and the interaction was found to be synergistic. In contrast, the interaction between cisplatin and DFMO or DENSPM was near-additive to antagonistic. The intracellular levels of the polyamines putrescine and spermidine were decreased after treatment with DFMO, and treatment with DENSPM resulted in an increase in putrescine level and concomitant decrease in spermidine and spermine levels. The uptake of BBR3464 was significantly increased after pre-treatment of the cells with DFMO, and varied dependent on the concentration of DENSPM. The uptake of cisplatin was unchanged. Conclusions: Taken together, these results demonstrate that combinations of polyamine synthesis inhibitors with BBR3464 appear to be a promising approach to enhance the anticancer activity against HSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell migration is important to the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract for the normal movement of cells from crypt to villi and the healing of wounds. Polyamines are essential to cell migration, mucosal restitution, and, hence, healing. Polyamine depletion by α-difluoromethyl ornithine (DFMO) inhibited migration by decreasing lamellipodia and stress fiber formation and preventing the activation of Rho-GTPases. Polyamine depletion increased the association of the thick F-actin cortex with phosphorylated myosin regulatory light chain (pMRLC). In this study, we determined why MRLC is constitutively phosphorylated as part of the actin cortex. Inhibition of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) decreased RhoA and Rac 1 activities and significantly inhibited migration. Polyamine depletion increased phosphorylation of MRLC (Thri 8/Serl9) and stabilized the actin cortex and focal adhesions. The Rho-kinase inhibitor Y27632 increased spreading and migration by decreasing the phosphorylation of MRLC, remodeling focal adhesions, and by activating Rho-GTPases. Thus phosphorylation of MRLC appears to be the rate-limiting step during the migration of IEC-6 cells. In addition, increased localization of RhoA with the actin cortex in polyamine-depleted cells appears to activate Rhokinase. In the absence of polyamines, activated Rho-kinase phosphorylates myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) at serine-668 leading to its inactivation and preventing the recruitment of phosphatase (protein phosphastase, PPlcδ) to the actomyosin cortex. In this condition, MRLC is constitutively phosphorylated and cycling does not occur. Thus activated myosin binds F-actin stress fibers and prevents focal adhesion turnover, Rho-GTPase activation, and the remodeling of the cytoskeleton required for migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal epithelium is a rapidly self-renewing tissue in the body, and its homeostasis is tightly regulated by numerous factors including polyamines. Decreased levels of cellular polyamines increase activating transcription factor (ATF)-2, but the exact role and mechanism of induced ATF-2 in the regulation of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) growth remain elusive. Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 is necessary for the G1-to-S phase transition during the cell cycle, and its expression is predominantly controlled at the transcription level. Here, we reported that induced ATF-2 following polyamine depletion repressed CDK4 gene transcription in IECs by increasing formation of the ATF-2/JunD heterodimers. ATF-2 formed complexes with JunD as measured by immunoprecipitation using the ATF-2 and JunD antibodies and by glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays using GST-ATF-2 fusion proteins. Studies using various mutants of GSTATF-2 revealed that formation of the ATF-2/JunD dimers depended on the COOH-terminal basic region-leucine zipper domain of ATF-2. Polyamine depletion increased ATF-2/JunD complex and inhibited CDK4 transcription as indicated by a decrease in the levels of CDK4-promoter activity and its mRNA. ATF-2 silencing not only prevented inhibition of CDK4 transcription in polyamine-deficient cells but also abolished repression of CDK4 expression induced by ectopic JunD overexpression. ATF-2 silencing also promoted TEC growth in polyamine-depleted cells. These results indicate that induced ATF-2/JunD association following polyamine depletion represses CDK4 transcription, thus contributing to the inhibition of IEC growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myoblast differentiation into multinuclear myotubes implies the slow-down of their proliferative drive and the expression of myogenin, an early marker of myogenic differentiation. Natural polyamines—such as putrescine, spermidine and spermine—are low molecular weight organic polycations, well known as mediators involved in cell homeostasis. Many evidences in the literature point to their role in driving cellular differentiation processes. Here, we studied how polyamines may affect the differentiation of the myogenic cell line H9c2 into the muscle phenotype. Cell cultures were committed via a 7-day treatment with insulin which induced increase in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase, the first enzyme in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, consistent with myogenic differentiation. To evaluate the role of polyamines in the differentiation process, cells were transfected with a plasmid overexpressing a stable ornithine decarboxylase, under control of a constitutive promoter. Overexpressing cells spontaneously differentiate into myotubes, without the need for induction with insulin; multinuclear myotubes and myogenin expression were apparent within 2 days of confluency of cultures. Polyamine depletion—by means of α-difluoromethylornithine, an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase—abolished the differentiation process. These observations support the evidence that polyamines are a key step involved in differentiation of muscle cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Neonatal ethanol (EtOH) exposure is associated with central nervous system dysfunction and neurotoxicity in rats. Increases in polyamine levels have been implicated as one underlying mechanism for some of EtOH’s effects on the developing brain. In this study we addressed whether the inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis by α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) could reduce behavioral deficits induced by early EtOH exposure. Male and female rat pups received ethanol (6 g/kg/day EtOH i.g.), or isocaloric maltose (control) from postnatal days (PND) 1–8. On PND 8, animals were injected with either saline or DFMO (500 mg/kg, s.c.) immediately following the final neonatal treatment. Subjects were tested for isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) on PND 16; spontaneous activity in an open field apparatus on PND 20 and 21; and balance on PND 31. Animals exposed to EtOH neonatally displayed an increased latency to the first USV and reduced frequencies of USV, hyperactivity and preference for the center of the open field and poorer balance relative to controls. DFMO minimized these deficits in latency to the first USV and balance. These data provide further support that polyamines play a role in some of the functional deficits associated with EtOH exposure during early development and that reducing polyamine activity can improve outcome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Culture of Citrus sinensis embryogenic callus on the embryo-inducing medium (EIM) containing glycerol gave rise to a large number of embryos, whereas very few embryos were observed on the callus growth medium (CGM). In the current paper, attempts were made to investigate whether polyamine biosynthesis was involved in glycerol-mediated somatic embryogenesis. Quantification of free polyamines by high-performance liquid chromatography showed that the cultures on EIM had less putrescine than those on CGM. However, increase in spermidine and spermine was detected in cultures on EIM during the first 20d of culture, coincident with abundant somatic embryogenesis. The globular embryos contained more polyamines than embryos at other stages. Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay showed that expression levels of all of the five key genes involved in polyamine biosynthesis, with the exception of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, were induced in cultures on EIM, and that their transcriptional levels were increased with maturation of the embryos. Addition of α-difluoromethylornithine, a polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor, to EIM resulted in remarkable inhibition of somatic embryogenesis, concurrent with notable reduction of endogenous putrescine and spermidine, particularly at higher concentrations. Exogenous application of 1mM putrescine to EIM together with 5mM α -difluoromethylornithine led to dramatic enhancement of endogenous polyamines, which successfully restored somatic embryogenesis. All of these, collectively, demonstrated that free polyamines, at least spermidine and spermine herein, were involved in glycerol-mediated promotion of somatic embryogenesis, which will open a new avenue for establishing a sophisticated system for somatic embryogenesis based on the modulation of endogenous polyamines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have previously shown that polyamine depletion decreased migration, Rac activation, and protein serine threonine phosphatase 2A activity. We have also shown that polyamine depletion increased cortical F-actin and decreased lamellipodia and stress fibers. In this study, we used staurosporine (STS), a potent, cell-permeable, and broad-spectrum serine/ threonine kinase inhibitor, and studied migration. STS concentrations above 100 nM induced apoptosis. However, in polyamine-depleted cells, a lower concentration of STS (5 nM) increased attachment, spreading, Rac1 activation, and, subsequently, migration without causing apoptosis. STS-induced migration was completely prevented by a Rac1 inhibitor (NSC-23766) and dominant negative Rac1. These results imply that STS restores migration in polyamine-depleted cells through Rac1. The most important finding in this study was that polyamine depletion increased the association of phosphorylated myosin regulatory light chain (pThr18/Ser19-MRLC) at the cell periphery, which colocalized with thick cortical F-actin. Localization of pThr18- and pSer19-MRLC was found with stress fibers and nuclei, respectively. STS decreased the phosphorylation of cellular and peripheral pThr18-MRLC without any effect on nuclear pSer19-MRLC, dissolved thick cortical F-actin, and increased lamellipodia and stress fiber formation in polyamine-depleted cells. In control and polyamine-depleted cells, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) colocalized with stress fibers and the actin cortex, respectively. STS reorganized FAK, paxillin, and the cytoskeleton. These results suggest that polyamine depletion prevents the dephosphorylation of MRLC and thereby prevents the dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and decreases lamellipodia formation resulting in the inhibition of migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) integrates various extracellular and intracellular signals and is implicated in a variety of biological functions, but its exact role and downstream targeting signals in the regulation of apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells (TECs) remains unclear. The current study tested the hypothesis that FAK has an antiapoptotic role in the IEC-6 cell line by altering NF-κB signaling. Induced FAK expression by stable transfection with the wild-type (WT)-FAK gene increased FAK phosphorylation, which was associated with an increase in NF-κB activity. These stable WT-FAK-transfected IECs also exhibited increased resistance to apoptosis when they were exposed to TNF-α plus cycloheximide (TNF-α/CHX). Specific inhibition of NF-κB by the recombinant adenoviral vector containing the IκBα superrepressor prevented increased resistance to apoptosis in WT-FAK-transfected cells. In contrast, inactivation of FAK by ectopic expression of dominant-negative mutant of FAK (DNM-FAK) inhibited NF-κB activity and increased the sensitivity to TNF-α/CHX-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, induced expression of endogenous FAK by depletion of cellular polyamines increased NF-κB activity and resulted in increased resistance to TNF-α/CHX-induced apoptosis, both of which were prevented by overexpression of DNM-FAK. These results indicate that increased expression of FAK suppresses TNF-α/CHX-induced apoptosis, at least partially, through the activation of NF-κB signaling in IECs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous studies have shown that polyamines are required for normal intestinal mucosal growth and that decreased levels of polyamines inhibit intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) proliferation by stabilizing p53 and other growth-inhibiting proteins. Nucleophosmin (NPM) is a multifunctional protein that recently has been shown to regulate p53 activity. In the present study, we sought to determine whether polyamine depletion increases NPM modulating the stability and transcriptional activity of p53 in a normal IEC-6 intestinal epithelial cell line. Depletion of cellular polyamines by α-difluoromethylornithine, the specific inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis, stimulated expression of the NPM gene and induced nuclear translocation of NPM protein. Polyamine depletion stimulated NPM expression primarily by increasing NPM gene transcription and its mRNA stability, and it induced NPM nuclear translocation through activation of phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase. Increased NPM interacted with p53 and formed a NPM/p53 complex in polyamine-deficient ceils. Inhibition of NPM expression by small interfering RNA targeting NPM (siNPM) not only destabilized p53 as indicated by a decrease in its protein half-life but also prevented the increased p53-dependent transactivation as shown by suppression of the p21 promoter activity. Decreased expression of NPM by siNPM also promoted cell growth in polyamine-deficient cells. These results indicate that 1) polyamine depletion increases expression of the NPM gene and enhances NPM nuclear translocation and 2) increased NPM interacts with and stabilizes p53, leading to inhibition of IEC-6 cell proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyamines play an important role in cell growth and differentiation. We studied changes in morphogenesis and the expression of the developmental control genes in the embryonic mouse kidney in response to polyamine depletion, using a kidney organ culture approach and reducing the polyamine pools with α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible suicide inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). We found that inhibition of ODC results in a systematic kidney organogenesis phenotype, in that the DFMO-treated kidney specimens were of smaller size, had less epithelial ureteric bud branches, and their mesenchymal-derived tubule formation was retarded. These dysmorphologies were shown to be associated with changes in cell proliferation. Whole-mount in situ experiments revealed that inhibition of ODC causes increases in epithelial c-ret and E-cadherin and a decrease in mesenchymal Pax-8 expression, whereas levels of epithelial Wnt-11, mesenchymal GDNF, FoxD1, and Pax-2 transcripts remain unchanged. We studied regulation of the Pax-2 gene by analyzing a mouse line in which lacZ was driven by an 8.5 kb Pax-2 enhancer in the epithelial ureteric bud, and found that Pax-2 expression, as indicated by lacZ expression, increased after DFMO treatment. Transient transfection experiments in HEK 293 cells with the minimal Pax-2 promoter showed enhanced transcription upon reduction of the polyamine pools. We propose that ODC and polyamines have an important role in kidney organogenesis, being involved in the regulation of the expression of genes implicated in epithelial–mesenchymal tissue interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Polyamines have been shown to play an important role in the disturbance of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in a number of pathological states including ischemia. BBB disturbances may be almost completely prevented by treating animals with the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitor, α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). DFMO has been also shown to prevent N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) toxicity in tissue cultures. It has been suggested that the pathological disturbances in polyamine metabolism observed following cerebral ischemia, particularly the post-ischemic increase in putrescine, may contribute to the ischemic injury that is most evident in the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus. In this study, effects of DFMO in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion were examined. The results showed that inhibition of the polyamine system by DFMO decreased ischemic injury volume and brain tissue water content in a dose-dependent manner, without change in vital signs, including systemic arterial blood pressure, arterial partial oxygen pressure, regional cerebral blood flow and body temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Apoptosis plays a crucial role in maintenance of intestinal epithelial integrity and is highly regulated by numerous factors, including cellular polyamines. We recently showed that polyamines regulate nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity in normal intestinal epithelial (IEC-6) cells and that polyamine depletion activates NF-κB and promotes resistance to apoptosis. The current study went further to determine whether the inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP) family of proteins, c-IAP2 and XIAP, are downstream targets of activated NF-κB and play a role in antiapoptotic activity of polyamine depletion in IEC-6 cells. Depletion of cellular polyamines by α-difluoromethylornithine not only activated NF-κB activity but also increased expression of c-IAP2 and XIAP. Specific inhibition of NF-κB by the recombinant adenoviral vector containing IκBα superrepressor (Ad/κBSR) prevented the induction of c-IAP2 and XIAP in polyamine-deficient cells. Decreased levels of c-IAP2 and XIAP proteins by inactivation of NF-κB through Ad/κBSR infection or treatment with the specific inhibitor Smac also overcame the resistance of polyamine-depleted cells to apoptosis induced by the combination of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and cycloheximide (CHX). Although polyamine depletion did not alter levels of procaspase-3 protein, it inhibited formation of the active caspase-3. Decreased levels of c-IAP2 and XIAP by Smac prevented the inhibitory effect of polyamine depletion on the cleavage of procaspase-3 to the active caspase-3. These results indicate that polyamine depletion increases expression of c-lAP2 and XIAP by activating NF-κB in intestinal epithelial cells. Increased c-IAP2 and XIAP after polyamine depletion induce the resistance to TNF-α/CHX-induced apoptosis, at least partially, through inhibition of the caspase-3 activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathways for putrescine biosynthesis and the effects of polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors on the germination and hyphal development of Gigaspora rosea spores were investigated. Incubation of spores with different radioactive substrates demonstrated that both arginine and ornithine decarboxylase pathways participate in putrescine biosynthesis in G. rosea. Spermidine and spermine were the most abundant polyamines in this fungus. The putrescine biosynthesis inhibitors α-difluoromethylarginine and α-difluoromethylornithine, as well as the spermidine synthase inhibitor cyclohexylamine, slightly decreased polyamine levels. However, only the latter interfered with spore germination. The consequences of the use of putrescine biosynthesis inhibitors for the control of plant pathogenic fungi on the viability of G. rosea spores in soil are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Increased cellular activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the first and rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine (PA) synthesis, is an independent adverse prognostic factor for overall survival in human breast cancer [4], thus suggesting an important role for PA in tumor progression. The experiments presented here were designed to investigate the role of PA in invasion and metastasis, using the highly aggressive MDA-MB-435 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines. Administration of α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ODC, significantly reduced, in a dose-dependent manner, the invasiveness in matrigel of both MDA-MB-435 and MDA-MB-231 cells by ∼70%. DFMO treatment also inhibited ( P<0.0001) `stellate' colony formation (an indicator of aggressive phenotype) by MDA-MB-435 cells plated in the matrigel outgrowth assay. Administration of DFMO (2% in drinking water) reduced the growth rate of both cell lines implanted orthotopically in nude mice. To evaluate metastasis while minimizing effects on proliferation, DFMO-treated mice were sacrificed later to allow their tumors to reach the same size of the tumors in the control mice. The most striking finding was that DFMO, while ineffective in reducing local invasion, nearly totally abolished ( P=0.0152) pulmonary metastasis in mice bearing MDA-MB-435 xenografts. These results support a role of PA in promoting breast cancer aggressiveness, particularly with regard to the development of distant metastasis. Furthermore, the data suggest that PA involvement is distal to local invasion in the metastatic cascade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Human insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is known to be the mediator of growth hormone dependent proliferation and is responsible for growth-promoting effects in the gastrointestinal tract. Polyamines play an essential role in cell growth and differentiation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the growth-promoting potency of IGF-I in various organ systems simultaneously in rats and the potential role of the polyamine metabolism during IGF-I-induced gastrointestinal growth. Methods: Based on results of initial dose-response studies, male Wistar rats (150 g) were either treated by subcutaneous injections with (1) IGF-I (1 × 1,000 μg/kg/24 h); (2) IGF-I plus α-difluoromethylornithine (3 × 300 mg i.p./kg/24 h plus 2% in drinking water), a specific inhibitor of intracellular polyamine de novo synthesis, or (3) saline (controls). 9–10 animals per group were sacrificed after 5 days of treatment. Results: IGF-I caused a significant (p < 0.005) increase in the weight of small intestine and spleen due to hyperplasia in the small intestine and hypertrophy and hyperplasia in the spleen, while no trophic effects could be observed in stomach or pancreas. The amylase concentration in the pancreas was increased. Simultaneously administered α-difluoromethylornithine significantly (p < 0.005) abolished the IGF-I-induced trophic effects in small intestine and spleen. Conclusions: These data reveal different trophic effects of IGF-I in various organ systems: while significant growth stimulation was found in small intestine and spleen, no proliferation was seen in pancreas and stomach. Polyamines obviously play an important role in IGF-I-mediated gastrointestinal growth.Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An attempt was made to identify some of the hormonal factors that control adventitious root formation in our Prunus avium micropropagation system in order to improve rooting in difficult-to-root genotypes. Changes in endogenous contents of free polyamines were determined at intervals during auxin-induced rooting of shoot cultures. Accumulation of putrescine and spermidine peaked between days 9 and 11. Spermine was only present in traces. Exogenously supplied putrescine or spermine (50-500 μM), in the presence of optimal or suboptimal levels of indolebutyric acid (IBA), had no effect on rooting percentage or rooting density, except for spermine at 500 μM. At this external concentration spermine caused a substantial accumulation in both free spermine and putrescine. The use of several inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis, namely α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), &alpha-difluoromethylarginine (DFMA), dicyclohexylammonium sulphate (DCHA) and methylglyoxal-bis-guanyl-hydrazone (MGBG) alone or in combination in the 0.1 to 5 mM range, resulted in an inhibition of rooting that was partially reversed by the addition of the corresponding polyamine. Cellular polyamine levels were significantly reduced by DFMO and DFMA but not by DCHA and MGBG. Laveled putrescine incorporation into spermidine increased somewhat in the presence of the ethylene synthesis inhibitor aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG). A system based on [3,4-14C]methionine incorporation was used to measure ethylene synthesis by the in vitro cultured shoots. Label incorporation was drastically reduced by 10 μM AVG and increased 3.5-fold in the presence of 50 μM IBA with respect to controls (no IBA). Labeled methionine incorporation into spermidine increased to some extent when ethylene synthesis was inhibited by AVG. Adding the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) to the rooting medium significantly inhibited rooting percentage; AVG caused the formation of a greater number of roots per shoot but delayed their growth. Supplying the shoots with both compounds resulted in an intermediate rooting response, in which both rooting percentage and root density were affected. These results indicate that polyamines may play a significant role at least in some stages of root formation. The polyamine and ethylene biosynthetic pathways seem to be competitive but under our conditions, the enhancement of one pathway when the other was inhibited, was not dramatic. Although IBA promoted ethylene synthesis, AVG, which drastically reduced it, also promoted root formation. Thus, the auxin effect on root induction cannot be directly related to its ability to enhance ethylene synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) and the key enzyme controlling their synthesis (ornithine decarboxylase, ODC) are considered important for many adaptive growth responses. In most epithelial cell populations enhanced proliferation is preceded by or associated with elevated ODC activity. We investigated whether inhibition of ODC activity reduces hepatic proliferation after mitogenic challenge. Rats maintained on a 2% oral solution of the L-ornithine analogue α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) were compared to positive controls in their response to mitogenic challenge. Adaptive growth was induced by partial hepatectomy (PH), or by a single dose of either phenobarbital (PB) (100 mg kg-1, gastric tube), cyproterone acetate (CPA) (100 mg kg-1, ip) or clofibrate (500 mg kg-1, gastric tube). Although these stimuli normally elevate ODC levels, DFMO proved to be a powerful inhibitor. Inhibition of ODC activity correlated with the absence of detectable levels of putrescine; without DFMO, putrescine levels were approximately 200 nmol g-1 wet weight in each case following mitogenic challenge. Proliferation, as measured by 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd) labeling at 24 h following stimulation, was largely unaffected by DFMO, and hepatic levels of spermidine and spermine were not significantly reduced. The hepatic levels of these downstream polyamines were high despite ODC inhibition, indicating an important role for them in these adaptive growth responses. These data suggest that an alternative polyamine metabolism pathway not affected by DFMO might be in operation here, or that an exogenous source of polyamines might exist. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Depletion of the putrescine and spermidine content of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells by α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) treatment results in at least a 1500-fold increase in the decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine (deSAM) content. The accumulation of this adenine nucleoside occurs because of the absence of putrescine and spermidine to act as aminopropyl group acceptors in the spermidine and spermine synthase reactions and because of an increase in S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity. The fact that the synthesis of deSAM continues in DFMO-treated cells makes the pathway an adenine trap. This prompted a study of the adenine nucleotide pools. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis showed that the total adenine nucleotide pool increased, rather than decreased, as a result of DFMO treatment; the major contributors to the increase being ATP and ADP, which increased 2.6 and 1.9 times, respectively. The cellular content of other ribonucleotides increased as well, particularly that of UTP and CTP. When putrescine was added together with DFMO, the increases in cellular ribonucleotide contents were prevented, showing that they were indeed caused by polyamine depletion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment with α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), depletes the putrescine and spermidine content, and reduces the growth rate of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The addition of putrescine, which is the immediate precursor of spermidine, promptly replenished the intracellular putrescine and spermidine pools and completely reversed the antiproliferative effect of DFMO. A sequential accumulation of spermine, spermidine and putrescine was observed. 1,3-diaminopropane, a lower homolog of putrescine, did not reverse the antiproliferative effect of DFMO, despite its structural similarity and identical positive charge. By inhibiting remaining ODC activity, resistant to 5 mM DFMO, and possibly by inhibiting spermine synthase activity, 1,3-diaminopropane produced a further decrease in total polyamine content by reducing the spermine content. Mg, which can replace putrescine in many in vitro reactions, completely lacked the capacity to reverse the antiproliferative effect of putrescine and spermidine deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large body of evidence exists suggesting that polyamines can play essential roles in cellular growth and differentiation. We examined the ability of α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, the major rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis, to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis. Substantial growth-inhibition was observed for all three species at DFMO concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 mM. C. tropicalis was significantly more susceptible to DFMO than C. albicans or C. parapsilosis. Depletion of cellular polyamine pools was seen in all 3 species following exposure to DFMO and polyamine depletion enhanced the susceptibility of the organisms to DFMO. The action of DFMO was specifically antagonized by exogenous polyamines. These data suggest that polyamines are important in the growth of Candida spp. and that inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis may be useful as antifungal agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the trophic effect of epidermal growth factor on the rat small intestine, we measured diamine oxidase and ornithine decarboxylase activities in intestinal mucosa injured by methotrexate. Methotrexate was infused orally via a gastric tube at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day on 3 successive days (days 1-3). Epidermal growth factor was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 40 micrograms/kg per day on 4 successive days following methotrexate infusion (days 4-7). Methotrexate caused a marked decrease in diamine oxidase activity; this decrease returned to a normal level on day 13 in controls. In rats injected with epidermal growth factor, diamine oxidase activity began to recover earlier than in the controls, and returned to a normal level on day 11. Epidermal growth factor enhanced the increase of ornithine decarboxylase activity in mucosa injured by methotrexate. When the increase of ornithine decarboxylase activity was suppressed by alpha-difluoromethylornithine, epidermal growth factor failed to facilitate the repair of intestinal mucosa. These results indicate that epidermal growth factor enhances intestinal repair following methotrexate infusion, and that this effect is mediated, at least in part, by ornithine decarboxylase. It is proposed that epidermal growth factor can be used clinically as a means to enhance mucosal repair of the intestine after chemotherapy with methotrexate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[1,4-C]Putrescine, administered to cultured roots of Hyoscyamus albus L., was converted to spermidine and spermine as well as to conjugated forms. A substantial fraction of its radioactivity (approx. 6%) was, however, incorporated into N-methylputrescine within 4 h, followed by an increase in radioactive tropane alkaloids (mostly hyoscyamine). Incubation of the roots with dl-[5-C]ornithine and l-[2,3-H]arginine separately resulted in rapid incorporation of each label into free putrescine and N-methylputrescine, followed by incorporation into hyoscyamine. During active alkaloid biosynthesis in H. albus roots, scarcely any radioactivity was recovered in δ-N-methylornithine. When the roots had been treated with 5 mM dl-α-difluoromethylornithine for 1 d prior to the administration of labeled ornithine, the total uptake of radioactivity into the root cells was not reduced, even though ornithine decarboxylase was specifically inactivated and the incorporation of the label to putrescine, N-methylputrescine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine markedly reduced. These and other results (Hashimoto et al., 1989, Planta 178, 123-130) are strong indications that tropane alkaloids in H. albus root cultures are synthesized from both ornithine and arginine by way of putrescine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of cyclosporine A (CsA) and α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) on the camostate-induced increase in pancreatic ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and polyamine biosynthesis has been studied in vivo. Six hours after application of the synthetic trypsin inhibitor camostate (200 mg/kg b wt orally) pancreatic ODC activity increased about 140-fold and putrescine concentration about ninefold. CsA inhibited the elevation of both parameters in a dose-dependent manner. CsA pretreatment for 3 d with doses of 7.5, 10.0, and 12.5 mg/kg b wt orally once a day and consecutive CsA blood levels 24 h after the last CsA application of 751 ±62, 968 ±70, and 1,395 ±79 ng/mL, respectively, resulted in a complete inhibition of the camostate-stimulated increase in pancreatic ODC activity and putrescine concentration in vivo. DFMO (2% in drinking water and additionally 300 mg/kg b wt intraperitoneally at 8 AM, 12 noon, and 4 PM) inhibited the increase in both, ODC activity, and putrescine, significantly in an equipotent degree as 2.5 mg CsA/kg b wt, whereas higher doses of CsA proved to be more effective than DFMO in the chosen subtoxic dose. In all cases, no significant changes in pancreatic spermidine and spermine concentration, DNA and protein content, or pancreatic and body weight were observed. It is concluded that CsA in doses used for immunosuppression in clinical practice is a very potent and more effective inhibitor of ODC activity and polyamine synthesis in vivo than DFMO. This ODC inhibitory effect of CsA is a further detail to elucidate the up to now incompletely understood mechanisms of action of this immunosuppressive agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), was examined for its ability to suppress the development of invasive urinary bladder carcinoma in C3H/He male mice. Continuous administration of 0.2% DFMO in water following carcinogen treatment (0.05% N-bytyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine, BHBN, in drinking water for 8 weeks) was effective in suppressing urinary bladder carcinomas ( P<0.05) as compared with the control group. However, when comparison was made based on tumors involving the entire urinary tract, protective effects could not be demonstrated. Coadministration of DFMO (0.2%) and BHBN (0.01%) did not alter tumor induction by the latter. These results were in sharp contrast to the protective effects in rats. Since bladder tumors in rats are of low grade and superficial whereas those in mice are of high grade and deeply invasive, our data indicate that DFMO has little to no effects against the development of aggressive forms of bladder carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antiproliferative effects of human recombinant interferon γ (IFNγ) in combination with α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) or as single agents were assessed on human cell cultures derived from carcinomas of the breast (MCF-7), the ovary (EFO-27) or the kidneys (EGI-4). Results were obtained in proliferation assays by direct cell counting. The cell lines differed considerably in their sensitivities to the antiproliferative effect of IFNγ as compared by the 50% inhibition doses of the growth (ID). In contrast to the findings with IFNγ, similar antiproliferative effects resulted from the application of comparable doses of DFMO. While IFNγ induced cytotoxic effects in EGI-4 cells, DFMO produced only cytostatic actions in the cell lines analyzed. Synergistic growth inhibition resulted from the combined application of IFNγ and DFMO in EFO-27 cell cultures. This finding was most pronounced after treatment with IFNγ or DFMO doses below the respective ID values. However, antagonistic effects occurred in cells of the line EGI-4 after DFMO had been combined with IFNγ at concentrations below the cytotoxic dose range. Within the sensitivity of our proliferation assay, no synergistic interactions were found in MCF-7 cell cultures. In the cell lines tested, no relation between the sensitivity for the single agents and the effectivity of the drug combination was identified. Despite promising synergistic effects in the moderately IFNγ-sensitive ovarian carcinoma cell line EFO-27, the efficacy of the IFNγ/DFMO combination was restrained by possible antagonistic effects as demonstrated in the highly IFNγ-sensitive EGI-4 renal carcinoma cell cultures. We conclude that the differential interaction patterns in the cell cultures analyzed preclude general suggestions for clinical studies using IFNγ and DFMO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male Wistar rats were treated concurrently with a combination of the carcinogen N-methyl- N′-nitro- N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG; CAS 70-25-7) and the polyamine-synthesis inhibitor α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) at two different doses of 0.5% and 1.0% (w/v). Experimental groups were treated with (I) MNNG alone ( n=25), (II) MNNG plus 0.5% (w/v) DFMO ( n=25), (III) MNNG plus 1.0% (w/v) DFMO ( n=25), (IV) 1.0% (w/v) DFMO alone ( n=25). Group V represented untreated controls ( n=20). Both the carcinogen and DFMO were administered in drinking water. The treatment time with the carcinogen and DFMO was 35 weeks. After treatment was completed animals were followed for an additional 50 weeks to cover a total observation time of 85 weeks. Significantly fewer animals developed gastric adenocarcinoma in the two groups of animals that received a combined treatment of MNNG plus DFMO compared to animals treated with the carcinogen alone ( P<0.05 and 0.005). No benign or malignant neoplastic lesions were observed in the stomach or duodenum of animals treated with DFMO alone or in untreated controls. It is concluded that concurrent treatment with DFMO prevents the development of malignant gastric epithelial tumors induced by MNNG in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]