| [ Summary ] |
Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) are known to be essential for cell growth. These are implicated in a wide variety of biological reactions, including nucleic acid and protein synthesis through interactions with nucleic acids and polyamines. When polyamines are excreted from cells, they are converted into their aldehydes by amine oxidase in serum. The aldehyde derivatives exhibit cell toxicity at a range of micro-M by an unknown mechanism. Possibility that the aldehyde derivatives of polyamines are candidates for uremic toxins is discussed. |