Polyamines in Aging and Disease

Overview

Journal Aging (Albany NY)

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2011 Aug 27

PMID 21869457

Citations 221

Authors

Nadege Minois

Didac Carmona-Gutierrez

Frank Madeo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Polyamines are polycations that interact with negatively charged molecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins. They play multiple roles in cell growth, survival and proliferation. Changes in polyamine levels have been associated with aging and diseases. Their levels decline continuously with age and polyamine (spermidine or high-polyamine diet) supplementation increases life span in model organisms. Polyamines have also been involved in stress resistance. On the other hand, polyamines are increased in cancer cells and are a target for potential chemotherapeutic agents. In this review, we bring together these various results and draw a picture of the state of our knowledge on the roles of polyamines in aging, stress and diseases.

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