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Akinyele O, Munir A, Johnson MA, Perez MS, Gao Y, Foley JR, Nwafor A, Wu Y, Murray-Stewart T, Casero RA, Bayir H, Kemaladewi DU. Impaired polyamine metabolism causes behavioral and neuroanatomical defects in a mouse model of Snyder-Robinson syndrome. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050639. [PMID: 38463005 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Snyder-Robinson syndrome (SRS) is a rare X-linked recessive disorder caused by a mutation in the SMS gene, which encodes spermine synthase, and aberrant polyamine metabolism. SRS is characterized by intellectual disability, thin habitus, seizure, low muscle tone/hypotonia and osteoporosis. Progress towards understanding and treating SRS requires a model that recapitulates human gene variants and disease presentations. Here, we evaluated molecular and neurological presentations in the G56S mouse model, which carries a missense mutation in the Sms gene. The lack of SMS protein in the G56S mice resulted in increased spermidine/spermine ratio, failure to thrive, short stature and reduced bone density. They showed impaired learning capacity, increased anxiety, reduced mobility and heightened fear responses, accompanied by reduced total and regional brain volumes. Furthermore, impaired mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was evident in G56S cerebral cortex, G56S fibroblasts and Sms-null hippocampal cells, indicating that SMS may serve as a future therapeutic target. Collectively, our study establishes the suitability of the G56S mice as a preclinical model for SRS and provides a set of molecular and functional outcome measures that can be used to evaluate therapeutic interventions for SRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwaseun Akinyele
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Anushe Munir
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Marie A Johnson
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Megan S Perez
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Yuan Gao
- Children's Neuroscience Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Jackson R Foley
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Ashley Nwafor
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Yijen Wu
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Tracy Murray-Stewart
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Robert A Casero
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Hülya Bayir
- Children's Neuroscience Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Dwi U Kemaladewi
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Children's Neuroscience Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
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2
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Tao X, Liu J, Diaz-Perez Z, Foley JR, Nwafor A, Stewart TM, Casero RA, Zhai RG. Reduction of spermine synthase enhances autophagy to suppress Tau accumulation. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:333. [PMID: 38740758 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06720-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Precise polyamine metabolism regulation is vital for cells and organisms. Mutations in spermine synthase (SMS) cause Snyder-Robinson intellectual disability syndrome (SRS), characterized by significant spermidine accumulation and autophagy blockage in the nervous system. Emerging evidence connects polyamine metabolism with other autophagy-related diseases, such as Tauopathy, however, the functional intersection between polyamine metabolism and autophagy in the context of these diseases remains unclear. Here, we altered SMS expression level to investigate the regulation of autophagy by modulated polyamine metabolism in Tauopathy in Drosophila and human cellular models. Interestingly, while complete loss of Drosophila spermine synthase (dSms) impairs lysosomal function and blocks autophagic flux recapitulating SRS disease phenotype, partial loss of dSms enhanced autophagic flux, reduced Tau protein accumulation, and led to extended lifespan and improved climbing performance in Tauopathy flies. Measurement of polyamine levels detected a mild elevation of spermidine in flies with partial loss of dSms. Similarly, in human neuronal or glial cells, partial loss of SMS by siRNA-mediated knockdown upregulated autophagic flux and reduced Tau protein accumulation. Importantly, proteomics analysis of postmortem brain tissue from Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients showed a significant albeit modest elevation of SMS level. Taken together, our study uncovers a functional correlation between polyamine metabolism and autophagy in AD: SMS reduction upregulates autophagy, suppresses Tau accumulation, and ameliorates neurodegeneration and cell death. These findings provide a new potential therapeutic target for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianzun Tao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Zoraida Diaz-Perez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jackson R Foley
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashley Nwafor
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tracy Murray Stewart
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert A Casero
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - R Grace Zhai
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
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Cressman A, Morales D, Zhang Z, Le B, Foley J, Murray-Stewart T, Genetos DC, Fierro FA. Effects of Spermine Synthase Deficiency in Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Are Rescued by Upstream Inhibition of Ornithine Decarboxylase. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2463. [PMID: 38473716 PMCID: PMC10931026 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the well-known relevance of polyamines to many forms of life, little is known about how polyamines regulate osteogenesis and skeletal homeostasis. Here, we report a series of in vitro studies conducted with human-bone-marrow-derived pluripotent stromal cells (MSCs). First, we show that during osteogenic differentiation, mRNA levels of most polyamine-associated enzymes are relatively constant, except for the catabolic enzyme spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1), which is strongly increased at both mRNA and protein levels. As a result, the intracellular spermidine to spermine ratio is significantly reduced during the early stages of osteoblastogenesis. Supplementation of cells with exogenous spermidine or spermine decreases matrix mineralization in a dose-dependent manner. Employing N-cyclohexyl-1,3-propanediamine (CDAP) to chemically inhibit spermine synthase (SMS), the enzyme catalyzing conversion of spermidine into spermine, also suppresses mineralization. Intriguingly, this reduced mineralization is rescued with DFMO, an inhibitor of the upstream polyamine enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC1). Similarly, high concentrations of CDAP cause cytoplasmic vacuolization and alter mitochondrial function, which are also reversible with the addition of DFMO. Altogether, these studies suggest that excess polyamines, especially spermidine, negatively affect hydroxyapatite synthesis of primary MSCs, whereas inhibition of polyamine synthesis with DFMO rescues most, but not all of these defects. These findings are relevant for patients with Snyder-Robinson syndrome (SRS), as the presenting skeletal defects-associated with SMS deficiency-could potentially be ameliorated by treatment with DFMO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Cressman
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.C.); (D.M.); (Z.Z.); (B.L.)
| | - David Morales
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.C.); (D.M.); (Z.Z.); (B.L.)
| | - Zhenyang Zhang
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.C.); (D.M.); (Z.Z.); (B.L.)
| | - Bryan Le
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.C.); (D.M.); (Z.Z.); (B.L.)
| | - Jackson Foley
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (J.F.); (T.M.-S.)
| | - Tracy Murray-Stewart
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (J.F.); (T.M.-S.)
| | - Damian C. Genetos
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Fernando A. Fierro
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.C.); (D.M.); (Z.Z.); (B.L.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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4
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Stewart TM, Foley JR, Holbert CE, Khomutov M, Rastkari N, Tao X, Khomutov AR, Zhai RG, Casero RA. Difluoromethylornithine rebalances aberrant polyamine ratios in Snyder-Robinson syndrome. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e17833. [PMID: 37702369 PMCID: PMC10630878 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202317833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Snyder-Robinson syndrome (SRS) results from mutations in spermine synthase (SMS), which converts the polyamine spermidine into spermine. Affecting primarily males, common manifestations of SRS include intellectual disability, osteoporosis, hypotonia, and seizures. Symptom management is the only treatment. Reduced SMS activity causes spermidine accumulation while spermine levels are reduced. The resulting exaggerated spermidine:spermine ratio is a biochemical hallmark of SRS that tends to correlate with symptom severity. Our studies aim to pharmacologically manipulate polyamine metabolism to correct this imbalance as a therapeutic strategy for SRS. Here we report the repurposing of 2-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an FDA-approved inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis, in rebalancing spermidine:spermine ratios in SRS patient cells. Mechanistic in vitro studies demonstrate that, while reducing spermidine biosynthesis, DFMO also stimulates the conversion of spermidine into spermine in hypomorphic SMS cells and induces uptake of exogenous spermine, altogether reducing the aberrant ratios. In a Drosophila SRS model characterized by reduced lifespan, DFMO improves longevity. As nearly all SRS patient mutations are hypomorphic, these studies form a strong foundation for translational studies with significant therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Murray Stewart
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer CenterJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Jackson R Foley
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer CenterJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Cassandra E Holbert
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer CenterJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Maxim Khomutov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular BiologyRussian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
| | - Noushin Rastkari
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer CenterJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Xianzun Tao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular PharmacologyUniversity of Miami Miller School of MedicineMiamiFLUSA
| | - Alex R Khomutov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular BiologyRussian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
| | - R Grace Zhai
- Department of Molecular and Cellular PharmacologyUniversity of Miami Miller School of MedicineMiamiFLUSA
| | - Robert A Casero
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer CenterJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
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5
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Gao B, Liu X, Feng Z, Wu J, Wang J. Potentilla sericea stress-responsive spermine synthase PsSPMS enhances cadmium tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. Chemosphere 2023; 342:140194. [PMID: 37717914 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Potentilla sericea is resistant and tolerates rough management. It is an excellent garden groundcover for ecological restoration and soil consolidation for slope protection. Polyamines have functions such as promoting tissue growth and physiological resistance, while spermine synthase catalyzes the production of spermine. The PsSPMS gene from Potentilla sericea was cloned and transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana to study the response of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana to cadmium stress. The results showed that the contents of spermidine, spermine as well as glutathione were higher in PsSPMS overexpressing Arabidopsis thaliana than the control, while the contents of putrescine were less than the control. Net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, water use efficiency, electron transfer rate, PSII-related parameters, proline content, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase activities were higher in PsSPMS overexpressing Arabidopsis thaliana than the control, while malondialdehyde, superoxide anion, and hydrogen peroxide contents were lower than the control. Correlation analysis showed significant differences between the indicators (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). Expression of AtSPMS, AtSPD3, AtGSH2 and AtGR in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana was higher than that of the control. Therefore, this study provides a genetic reference for the cultivation of cadmium-tolerant plants through genetic engineering and lays the foundation for further research on cadmium-tolerant Potentilla sericea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Gao
- Northeast Forestry University, Hexing Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150040, PR China
| | - Xiangyue Liu
- Northeast Forestry University, Hexing Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150040, PR China
| | - Zhenghong Feng
- Northeast Forestry University, Hexing Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150040, PR China
| | - Jianhui Wu
- Northeast Forestry University, Hexing Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150040, PR China.
| | - Jinghong Wang
- Northeast Forestry University, Hexing Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150040, PR China.
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6
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Valera Ribera C, Martinez-Ferrer À, Flores Fernández E, Vázquez Gómez I, Orenes Vera A, Valls Pascual E, Ybáñez García D, Alegre Sancho JJ. Snyder-Robinson syndrome: differential diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta. Osteoporos Int 2022; 33:1177-1180. [PMID: 34741636 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-021-06228-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Snyder-Robinson syndrome is an extremely rare genetic disorder, caused by mutations of the spermine synthase gene. We report a novel case of Snyder-Robinson syndrome, caused by a de novo mutation and first misdiagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta. Clinical features, course, and genetic analysis are presented. The patient was treated with bisphosphonates for a decade, until developing an atypical femoral fracture. Teriparatide was then administered for 2 years and then changed to denosumab every 6 months, improving his bone density mass and preventing further fractures.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Valera Ribera
- Rheumatology Department, Doctor Peset University Hospital, Valencia, Spain.
| | - À Martinez-Ferrer
- Rheumatology Department, Doctor Peset University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - E Flores Fernández
- Rheumatology Department, Doctor Peset University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - I Vázquez Gómez
- Rheumatology Department, Doctor Peset University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - A Orenes Vera
- Rheumatology Department, Doctor Peset University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - E Valls Pascual
- Rheumatology Department, Doctor Peset University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - D Ybáñez García
- Rheumatology Department, Doctor Peset University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - J J Alegre Sancho
- Rheumatology Department, Doctor Peset University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
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Morales TS, Avis EC, Paskowski EK, Shabar H, Nowotarski SL, DiAngelo JR. The Role of Spermidine Synthase (SpdS) and Spermine Synthase (Sms) in Regulating Triglyceride Storage in Drosophila. Med Sci (Basel) 2021; 9:medsci9020027. [PMID: 34063217 PMCID: PMC8162547 DOI: 10.3390/medsci9020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyamines are small organic cations that are important for several biological processes such as cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. The dysregulation of intracellular polyamines is often associated with diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and developmental disorders. Although polyamine metabolism has been well studied, the effects of key enzymes in the polyamine pathway on lipid metabolism are not well understood. Here, we determined metabolic effects resulting from the absence of spermidine synthase (SpdS) and spermine synthase (Sms) in Drosophila. While SpdS mutants developed normally and accumulated triglycerides, Sms mutants had reduced viability and stored less triglyceride than the controls. Interestingly, when decreasing SpdS and Sms, specifically in the fat body, triglyceride storage increased. While there was no difference in triglycerides stored in heads, thoraxes and abdomen fat bodies, abdomen fat body DNA content increased, and protein/DNA decreased in both SpdS- and Sms-RNAi flies, suggesting that fat body-specific knockdown of SpdS and Sms causes the production of smaller fat body cells and triglycerides to accumulate in non-fat body tissues of the abdomen. Together, these data provide support for the role that polyamines play in the regulation of metabolism and can help enhance our understanding of polyamine function in metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Shannon L. Nowotarski
- Correspondence: (S.L.N.); (J.R.D.); Tel.: +1-610-396-6005 (S.L.N.); +1-610-396-6441 (J.R.D.)
| | - Justin R. DiAngelo
- Correspondence: (S.L.N.); (J.R.D.); Tel.: +1-610-396-6005 (S.L.N.); +1-610-396-6441 (J.R.D.)
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Xu J, Yang J, Xu Z, Zhao D, Hu X. Exogenous spermine-induced expression of SlSPMS gene improves salinity-alkalinity stress tolerance by regulating the antioxidant enzyme system and ion homeostasis in tomato. Plant Physiol Biochem 2020; 157:79-92. [PMID: 33096513 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The study tested the function of exogenous spermine (Spm) in resisting salinity-alkalinity stress in tomato seedlings and found that tomato Spm synthase gene (SlSPMS) was involved in this regulation. The tomato seedlings cultivated in normal conditions or salinity-alkalinity conditions were irrigated with 100 ml one strength Hoagland nutrient solution 100 ml mixed solution (5 ml 300 mmol/L NaCl, 45 ml 300 mmol/L Na2SO4, 45 ml 300 mmol/L NaHCO3, and 5 ml 300 mmol/L Na2CO3 (pH = 8.90)) every 2 days, respectively. The 0.5 mM Spm pretreatment improved superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) activity, catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6) activity, ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11) activity, and glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2) activity and decreased endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and relative electrical conductivity (REC) in tomato leaves. Na+ content declined and K+ concentration rose in tomato seedlings when pre-treated with Spm. However the results showed that under salinity-alkalinity stress, silencing of SlSPMS with virus-induced gene silencing had lower antioxidant enzyme activities and higher Na+ content and lower K+ content than normal tomato seedlings, meaning that they had low salinity-alkalinity tolerance. Exogenous Spm could not reconstruct the tolerance to salinity-alkalinity stress in SlSPMS gene-silencing tomato seedlings. Taken together, exogenous Spm could induce the expression level of SlSPMS, which regulated the antioxidant enzyme system and ion homeostasis in tomato seedlings living in salinity-alkalinity environment, thereby improving the ability of tomato seedlings to resist salinity-alkalinity stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwen Xu
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Engineering in Northwest, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Shaanxi Protected Agriculture Research Centre, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Jianyu Yang
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Engineering in Northwest, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Shaanxi Protected Agriculture Research Centre, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Zijian Xu
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Engineering in Northwest, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Shaanxi Protected Agriculture Research Centre, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Dingkang Zhao
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Engineering in Northwest, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Shaanxi Protected Agriculture Research Centre, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Xiaohui Hu
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Engineering in Northwest, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Shaanxi Protected Agriculture Research Centre, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
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9
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Tao Y, Wang J, Miao J, Chen J, Wu S, Zhu J, Zhang D, Gu H, Cui H, Shi S, Xu M, Yao Y, Gong Z, Yang Z, Gu M, Zhou Y, Liang G. The Spermine Synthase OsSPMS1 Regulates Seed Germination, Grain Size, and Yield. Plant Physiol 2018; 178:1522-1536. [PMID: 30190417 PMCID: PMC6288755 DOI: 10.1104/pp.18.00877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Polyamines, including putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, play essential roles in a wide variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Rice (Oryza sativa) contains four putative spermidine/spermine synthase (SPMS)-encoding genes (OsSPMS1, OsSPMS2, OsSPMS3, and OsACAULIS5), but none have been functionally characterized. In this study, we used a reverse genetic strategy to investigate the biological function of OsSPMS1 We generated several homozygous RNA interference (RNAi) and overexpression (OE) lines of OsSPMS1 Phenotypic analysis indicated that OsSPMS1 negatively regulates seed germination, grain size, and grain yield per plant. The ratio of spermine to spermidine was significantly lower in the RNAi lines and considerably higher in the OE lines than in the wild type, suggesting that OsSPMS1 may function as a SPMS. S-Adenosyl-l-methionine is a common precursor of polyamines and ethylene biosynthesis. The 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and ethylene contents in seeds increased significantly in RNAi lines and decreased in OE lines, respectively, compared with the wild type. Additionally, the reduced germination rates and growth defects of OE lines could be rescued with ACC treatment. These data suggest that OsSPMS1 affects ethylene synthesis and may regulate seed germination and plant growth by affecting the ACC and ethylene pathways. Most importantly, an OsSPMS1 knockout mutant showed an increase in grain yield per plant in a high-yield variety, Suken118, suggesting that OsSPMS1 is an important target for yield enhancement in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Tao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Institute of Food Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Jun Miao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Shujun Wu
- Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Jinyan Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Dongping Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Houwen Gu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Huan Cui
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Shuangyue Shi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Mingyue Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Youli Yao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhiyun Gong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zefeng Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Minghong Gu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Guohua Liang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
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10
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Vuosku J, Karppinen K, Muilu-Mäkelä R, Kusano T, Sagor GHM, Avia K, Alakärppä E, Kestilä J, Suokas M, Nickolov K, Hamberg L, Savolainen O, Häggman H, Sarjala T. Scots pine aminopropyltransferases shed new light on evolution of the polyamine biosynthesis pathway in seed plants. Ann Bot 2018; 121:1243-1256. [PMID: 29462244 PMCID: PMC5946884 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcy012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Background and Aims Polyamines are small metabolites present in all living cells and play fundamental roles in numerous physiological events in plants. The aminopropyltransferases (APTs), spermidine synthase (SPDS), spermine synthase (SPMS) and thermospermine synthase (ACL5), are essential enzymes in the polyamine biosynthesis pathway. In angiosperms, SPMS has evolved from SPDS via gene duplication, whereas in gymnosperms APTs are mostly unexplored and no SPMS gene has been reported. The present study aimed to investigate the functional properties of the SPDS and ACL5 proteins of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in order to elucidate the role and evolution of APTs in higher plants. Methods Germinating Scots pine seeds and seedlings were analysed for polyamines by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the expression of PsSPDS and PsACL5 genes by in situ hybridization. Recombinant proteins of PsSPDS and PsACL5 were produced and investigated for functional properties. Also gene structures, promoter regions and phylogenetic relationships of PsSPDS and PsACL5 genes were analysed. Key Results Scots pine tissues were found to contain spermidine, spermine and thermospermine. PsSPDS enzyme catalysed synthesis of both spermidine and spermine. PsACL5 was found to produce thermospermine, and PsACL5 gene expression was localized in the developing procambium in embryos and tracheary elements in seedlings. Conclusions Contrary to previous views, our results demonstrate that SPMS activity is not a novel feature developed solely in the angiosperm lineage of seed plants but also exists as a secondary property in the Scots pine SPDS enzyme. The discovery of bifunctional SPDS from an evolutionarily old conifer reveals the missing link in the evolution of the polyamine biosynthesis pathway. The finding emphasizes the importance of pre-existing secondary functions in the evolution of new enzyme activities via gene duplication. Our results also associate PsACL5 with the development of vascular structures in Scots pine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaana Vuosku
- University of Oulu, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Oulu, Finland
| | - Katja Karppinen
- University of Oulu, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Oulu, Finland
| | - Riina Muilu-Mäkelä
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Bio-based Business and Industry, Parkano, Finland
| | - Tomonobu Kusano
- Tohoku University, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - G H M Sagor
- Tohoku University, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Komlan Avia
- University of Oulu, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Oulu, Finland
- UMI 3614 Evolutionary Biology and Ecology of Algae, CNRS, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad Austral de Chile, Station Biologique Roscoff, Roscoff, France
| | - Emmi Alakärppä
- University of Oulu, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Oulu, Finland
| | - Johanna Kestilä
- University of Oulu, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Oulu, Finland
| | - Marko Suokas
- University of Oulu, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Oulu, Finland
| | - Kaloian Nickolov
- University of Oulu, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Oulu, Finland
| | - Leena Hamberg
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Management and Production of Renewable Resources, Vantaa, Finland
| | - Outi Savolainen
- University of Oulu, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Oulu, Finland
| | - Hely Häggman
- University of Oulu, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tytti Sarjala
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Bio-based Business and Industry, Parkano, Finland
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11
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Mo HJ, Sun YX, Zhu XL, Wang XF, Zhang Y, Yang J, Yan GJ, Ma ZY. Cotton S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase-mediated spermine biosynthesis is required for salicylic acid- and leucine-correlated signaling in the defense response to Verticillium dahliae. Planta 2016; 243:1023-39. [PMID: 26757733 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-015-2463-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/25/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Cotton S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase-, rather than spermine synthase-, mediated spermine biosynthesis is required for salicylic acid- and leucine-correlated signaling in the defense response to Verticillium dahliae. Spermine (Spm) signaling is correlated with plant resistance to the fungal pathogen Verticillium dahliae. We identified genes for key rate-limiting enzymes in the biosynthesis of Spm, namely S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (GhSAMDC) and Spm synthase (GhSPMS). These were found by screening suppression subtractive hybridization and cDNA libraries of cotton (Gossypium) species tolerant to Verticillium wilt. Both were induced early and strongly by inoculation with V. dahliae and application of plant hormones. Silencing of GhSPMS or GhSAMDC in cotton leaves led to a significant accumulation of upstream substrates and, ultimately, enhanced plant susceptibility to Verticillium infection. Exogenous supplementation of Spm to the silenced cotton plants improved resistance. When compared with the wild type (WT), constitutive expression of GhSAMDC in Arabidopsis thaliana was associated with greater Verticillium wilt resistance and higher accumulations of Spm, salicylic acid, and leucine during the infection period. By contrast, transgenic Arabidopsis plants that over-expressed GhSPMS were unexpectedly more susceptible than the WT to V. dahliae and they also had impaired levels of putrescine (Put) and salicylic acid (SA). The susceptibility exhibited in GhSPMS-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants was partially reversed by the exogenous supply of Put or SA. In addition, the responsiveness of those two transgenic Arabidopsis lines to V. dahliae was associated with an alteration in transcripts of genes involved in plant resistance to epidermal penetrations and amino acid signaling. Together, these results suggest that GhSAMDC-, rather than GhSPMS-, mediated spermine biosynthesis contributes to plant resistance against V. dahliae through SA- and leucine-correlated signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Juan Mo
- North China Key Laboratory for Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, China
| | - Yan-Xiang Sun
- Institute of Genetics and Breeding, Langfang Teachers University, Langfang, 065000, China
| | - Xiao-Li Zhu
- North China Key Laboratory for Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, China
| | - Xing-Fen Wang
- North China Key Laboratory for Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- North China Key Laboratory for Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, China
| | - Jun Yang
- North China Key Laboratory for Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, China
| | - Gui-Jun Yan
- North China Key Laboratory for Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, China
- School of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science and The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, 6009, Australia
| | - Zhi-Ying Ma
- North China Key Laboratory for Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, China.
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12
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Abela L, Simmons L, Steindl K, Schmitt B, Mastrangelo M, Joset P, Papuc M, Sticht H, Baumer A, Crowther LM, Mathis D, Rauch A, Plecko B. N(8)-acetylspermidine as a potential plasma biomarker for Snyder-Robinson syndrome identified by clinical metabolomics. J Inherit Metab Dis 2016; 39:131-7. [PMID: 26174906 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-015-9876-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Clinical metabolomics has emerged as a powerful tool to study human metabolism in health and disease. Comparative statistical analysis of untargeted metabolic profiles can reveal perturbations of metabolite levels in diseases and thus has the potential to identify novel biomarkers. Here we have applied a simultaneous genetic-metabolomic approach in twin boys with epileptic encephalopathy of unclear etiology. Clinical exome sequencing identified a novel missense mutation in the spermine synthase gene (SMS) that causes Snyder-Robinson syndrome (SRS). Untargeted plasma metabolome analysis revealed significantly elevated levels of N(8)-acetylspermidine, a precursor derivative of spermine biosynthesis, as a potential novel plasma biomarker for SRS. This result was verified in a third patient with genetically confirmed SRS. This study illustrates the potential of metabolomics as a translational technique to support exome data on a functional and clinical level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Abela
- Division of Child Neurology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
- Radiz-Rare Disease Initiative Zurich, Clinical Research Priority Program for Rare Diseases, University of Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Luke Simmons
- Division of Child Neurology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
- Radiz-Rare Disease Initiative Zurich, Clinical Research Priority Program for Rare Diseases, University of Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Steindl
- Radiz-Rare Disease Initiative Zurich, Clinical Research Priority Program for Rare Diseases, University of Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Bernhard Schmitt
- Radiz-Rare Disease Initiative Zurich, Clinical Research Priority Program for Rare Diseases, University of Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
- Division of Epilepsy and Neurophysiology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Massimo Mastrangelo
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, V. Buzzi Children's Hospital, ICP, Via Castelvetro 24, 20154, Milan, Italy
| | - Pascal Joset
- Radiz-Rare Disease Initiative Zurich, Clinical Research Priority Program for Rare Diseases, University of Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Mihaela Papuc
- Radiz-Rare Disease Initiative Zurich, Clinical Research Priority Program for Rare Diseases, University of Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Heinrich Sticht
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Fahrstrasse 17, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alessandra Baumer
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Lisa M Crowther
- Division of Child Neurology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
- Radiz-Rare Disease Initiative Zurich, Clinical Research Priority Program for Rare Diseases, University of Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Déborah Mathis
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anita Rauch
- Radiz-Rare Disease Initiative Zurich, Clinical Research Priority Program for Rare Diseases, University of Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Plecko
- Division of Child Neurology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Radiz-Rare Disease Initiative Zurich, Clinical Research Priority Program for Rare Diseases, University of Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
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13
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Zhu X, Li Q, Hu J, Wang M, Li X. Molecular Cloning and Characterization of Spermine Synthesis Gene Associated with Cold Tolerance in Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis). Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2015; 177:1055-68. [PMID: 26276446 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-015-1796-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Spermine synthase (SPMS, EC 2.5.1.22), enzyme of spermine (Spm) biosynthesis, has been shown to be related to stress response. In this study, attempts were made to clone and characterize a gene encoding SPMS from tea plant (Camellia sinensis). The effect of exogenous application of Spm in C. sinensis subjected to low-temperature stress was also investigated. A full-length SPMS complementary DNA (cDNA) (CsSPMS) with an open reading frame of 1113 bp was cloned using reverse transcription-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) techniques from cultivar "Yingshuang". The CsSPMS gene, which encoded a 371 amino acid polypeptide, in four cultivars is highly homologous. Quantitative real-time PCR indicated that the CsSPMS gene shows tissue-specific expression, mainly in the leaf and root of tea plant. The expression analysis demonstrated that the CsSPMS gene is quickly induced by cold stress and had similar trends in four cultivars. Spm-supplemented "Baicha" cultivar contains higher endogenous polyamines compared to the control, coupling with higher expression levels of ADC and SPMS. In addition, activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), as well as free proline content in the Spm-supplemented samples were higher than the control during the experiment course or at a given time point, indicating that Spm exerted a positive effect on antioxidant systems. Moreover, Agrobacterium-mediated expression of CsSPMS in tobacco leaves showed relatively higher cold tolerance. Taken together, these findings will enhance the understanding of the relationships among CsSPMS gene regulatory, polyamines accumulation, and cold tolerance in tea plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xujun Zhu
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang No.1, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinghui Li
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang No.1, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyan Hu
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang No.1, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingle Wang
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang No.1, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinghui Li
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang No.1, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Imamura T, Fujita K, Tasaki K, Higuchi A, Takahashi H. Characterization of spermidine synthase and spermine synthase--The polyamine-synthetic enzymes that induce early flowering in Gentiana triflora. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2015; 463:781-6. [PMID: 26056006 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Polyamines are essential for several living processes in plants. However, regulatory mechanisms of polyamines in herbaceous perennial are almost unknown. Here, we identified homologs of two Arabidopsis polyamine-synthetic enzymes, spermidine synthase (SPDS) and spermine synthase (SPMS) denoted as GtSPDS and GtSPMS, from the gentian plant, Gentiana triflora. Our results showed that recombinant proteins of GtSPDS and GtSPMS possessed SPDS and SPMS activities, respectively. The expression levels of GtSPDS and GtSPMS increased transiently during vegetative to reproductive growth phase and overexpression of the genes hastened flowering, suggesting that these genes are involved in flowering induction in gentian plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Imamura
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan
| | - Kohei Fujita
- Iwate Biotechnology Research Center, 22-174-4 Narita, Kitakami, Iwate 024-0003, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tasaki
- Iwate Biotechnology Research Center, 22-174-4 Narita, Kitakami, Iwate 024-0003, Japan
| | - Atsumi Higuchi
- Iwate Biotechnology Research Center, 22-174-4 Narita, Kitakami, Iwate 024-0003, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Takahashi
- Iwate Biotechnology Research Center, 22-174-4 Narita, Kitakami, Iwate 024-0003, Japan.
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15
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Maruri-López I, Rodríguez-Kessler M, Rodríguez-Hernández AA, Becerra-Flora A, Olivares-Grajales JE, Jiménez-Bremont JF. A maize spermine synthase 1 PEST sequence fused to the GUS reporter protein facilitates proteolytic degradation. Plant Physiol Biochem 2014; 78:80-7. [PMID: 24642522 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2014.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Polyamines are low molecular weight aliphatic compounds involved in various biochemical, cellular and physiological processes in all organisms. In plants, genes involved in polyamine biosynthesis and catabolism are regulated at transcriptional, translational, and posttranslational level. In this research, we focused on the characterization of a PEST sequence (rich in proline, glutamic acid, serine, and threonine) of the maize spermine synthase 1 (ZmSPMS1). To this aim, 123 bp encoding 40 amino acids of the C-terminal region of the ZmSPMS1 enzyme containing the PEST sequence were fused to the GUS reporter gene. This fusion was evaluated in Arabidopsis thaliana transgenic lines and onion monolayers transient expression system. The ZmSPMS1 PEST sequence leads to specific degradation of the GUS reporter protein. It is suggested that the 26S proteasome may be involved in GUS::PEST fusion degradation in both onion and Arabidopsis. The PEST sequences appear to be present in plant spermine synthases, mainly in monocots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Maruri-López
- División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A. C., 78216 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
| | - Margarita Rodríguez-Kessler
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Salvador Nava s/n, Zona Universitaria, 78290 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
| | - Aída Araceli Rodríguez-Hernández
- División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A. C., 78216 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
| | - Alicia Becerra-Flora
- División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A. C., 78216 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
| | - Juan Elías Olivares-Grajales
- Departamento de Biología Molecular de Plantas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Juan Francisco Jiménez-Bremont
- División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A. C., 78216 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
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16
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Sagor GHM, Berberich T, Takahashi Y, Niitsu M, Kusano T. The polyamine spermine protects Arabidopsis from heat stress-induced damage by increasing expression of heat shock-related genes. Transgenic Res 2013. [PMID: 23080295 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-012-9666-9663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
It is known that the polyamine (PA) biosynthetic pathway is modulated at the transcriptional level during abiotic stresses. Here we studied the expression of PA biosynthetic pathway genes upon exposure to heat shock (HS) in Arabidopsis and showed that the spermine (Spm) synthase gene (SPMS) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase 2 gene are induced at the earliest stage, followed by the induction of the arginine decarboxylase 2 gene. Correspondingly, Spm content increased linearly upon HS, and putrescine (Put) and spermidine (Spd) content also increased but not thermospermine (T-Spm) content. Exogenously applied Spm had a potential to protect Arabidopsis plants from HS-induced damage. Such protection was also observed to the same extent with T-Spm and by Spd to a lesser extent but not by Put. Then we tested whether altered endogenous Spm content affects sensitivity to HS using both transgenic plants overexpressing SPMS and a Spm deficient (spms) mutant plant. The result revealed that the higher the Spm content the higher the thermotolerance. Even in the spms plant, representative genes encoding heat shock proteins (HSPs) and heat shock transcription factors were upregulated upon HS, while the expression of such genes was increased in a positively correlated manner with Spm content. Furthermore four kinds of HSPs (HSP101, HSP90, HSP70 and HSP17.6) were detected proportionally with the levels of their respective transcripts upon HS. We propose that Spm increases the HS response at transcriptional and translational levels and protects host plants from HS-induced damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- G H M Sagor
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
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Levillain O, Ramos-Molina B, Forcheron F, Peñafiel R. Expression and distribution of genes encoding for polyamine-metabolizing enzymes in the different zones of male and female mouse kidneys. Amino Acids 2012; 43:2153-63. [PMID: 22562773 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-012-1300-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2012] [Accepted: 04/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The role of polyamines in renal physiology is only partially understood. Moreover, most of the data on the enzymes of polyamine metabolism come from studies using whole kidneys. The aim of the present study was to analyze the mRNA abundance of the genes implicated in both the polyamine biosynthetic and catabolic pathways in different renal zones of male and female mice, by means of the quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Our results indicate that there is an uneven distribution of the different mRNAs studied in the five renal zones: superficial cortex, deep cortex, outer stripe of the outer medulla (OS), inner stripe of the outer medulla (IS), and the inner medulla + papilla (IM). The biosynthetic genes, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and spermine synthase, were more expressed in the cortex, whereas the mRNAs of the catabolic genes spermine oxidase (SMO) and diamine oxidase were more abundant in IS and IM. The genes involved in the regulation of polyamine synthesis (AZ1, AZ2 and AZIN1) were expressed in all the renal zones, predominantly in the cortex, while AZIN2 gene was more abundant in the OS. ODC, SMO, spermidine synthase and spermidine/spermine acetyl transferase expression was higher in males than in females. In conclusion, the genes encoding for the polyamine metabolism were specifically and quantitatively distributed along the corticopapillary axis of male and female mouse kidneys, suggesting that their physiological role is essential in defined renal zones and/or nephron segments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Levillain
- Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, FRE 3310, Dysfonctionnements de l'homéostasie tissulaire et ingénierie thérapeutique, (DyHTIT), 7 passage du Vercors, 69367, Lyon, France.
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18
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Alet AI, Sánchez DH, Cuevas JC, Marina M, Carrasco P, Altabella T, Tiburcio AF, Ruiz OA. New insights into the role of spermine in Arabidopsis thaliana under long-term salt stress. Plant Sci 2012; 182:94-100. [PMID: 22118620 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2011.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2010] [Revised: 03/17/2011] [Accepted: 03/22/2011] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) are traditionally implicated in the response of plants to environmental cues. Free spermine accumulation has been suggested as a particular feature of long-term salt stress, and in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana the spermine synthase gene (AtSPMS) has been reported as inducible by abscisic acid (ABA) and acute salt stress treatments. With the aim to unravel the physiological role of free spermine during salinity, we analyzed polyamine metabolism in A. thaliana salt-hypersensitive sos mutants (salt overlay sensitive; sos1-1, sos2-1 and sos3-1), and studied the salt stress tolerance of the mutants in spermine and thermospermine synthesis (acl5-1, spms-1 and acl5-1/spms-1). Results presented here indicate that induction in polyamine metabolism is a SOS-independent response to salinity and is globally over-induced in a sensitive background. In addition, under long-term salinity, the mutants in the synthesis of spermine and thermospermine (acl5-1, spms-1 and double acl5-1/spms-1) accumulated more Na(+) and performed worst than WT in survival experiments. Therefore, support is given to a role for these higher polyamines in salt tolerance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Analía I Alet
- Unidad de Biotecnología 1, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH/UNSAM-CONICET), Camino Circunvalación Laguna, Km. 6 CC164, (B7130IWA) Chascomús, Pcia. de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Gonzalez ME, Marco F, Minguet EG, Carrasco-Sorli P, Blázquez MA, Carbonell J, Ruiz OA, Pieckenstain FL. Perturbation of spermine synthase gene expression and transcript profiling provide new insights on the role of the tetraamine spermine in Arabidopsis defense against Pseudomonas viridiflava. Plant Physiol 2011; 156:2266-77. [PMID: 21628628 PMCID: PMC3149955 DOI: 10.1104/pp.110.171413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2010] [Accepted: 05/26/2011] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The role of the tetraamine spermine in plant defense against pathogens was investigated by using the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana)-Pseudomonas viridiflava pathosystem. The effects of perturbations of plant spermine levels on susceptibility to bacterial infection were evaluated in transgenic plants (35S::spermine synthase [SPMS]) that overexpressed the SPMS gene and accumulated spermine, as well as in spms mutants with low spermine levels. The former exhibited higher resistance to P. viridiflava than wild-type plants, while the latter were more susceptible. Exogenous supply of spermine to wild-type plants also increased disease resistance. Increased resistance provided by spermine was partly counteracted by the polyamine oxidase inhibitor SL-11061, demonstrating that the protective effect of spermine partly depends on its oxidation. In addition, global changes in gene expression resulting from perturbations of spermine levels were analyzed by transcript profiling 35S::SPMS-9 and spms-2 plants. Overexpression of 602 genes was detected in 35S::SPMS-9 plants, while 312 genes were down-regulated, as compared to the wild type. In the spms-2 line, 211 and 158 genes were up- and down-regulated, respectively. Analysis of gene ontology term enrichment demonstrated that many genes overexpressed only in 35S::SPMS-9 participate in pathogen perception and defense responses. Notably, several families of disease resistance genes, transcription factors, kinases, and nucleotide- and DNA/RNA-binding proteins were overexpressed in this line. Thus, a number of spermine-responsive genes potentially involved in resistance to P. viridiflava were identified. The obtained results support the idea that spermine contributes to plant resistance to P. viridiflava.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Fernando Luis Pieckenstain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús/Universidad Nacional de San Martín-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científificas y Técnicas, CC 164 (B7130IWA) Chascomus, Argentina (M.E.G., O.A.R., F.L.P.); Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Valencia, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain (F.M., P.C.-S.); Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (Universidad Politécnica de Valencia-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), 46022 Valencia, Spain (E.G.M., M.A.B., J.C.)
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20
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Fiori LM, Bureau A, Labbe A, Croteau J, Noël S, Mérette C, Turecki G. Global gene expression profiling of the polyamine system in suicide completers. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2011; 14:595-605. [PMID: 21208503 DOI: 10.1017/s1461145710001574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, gene expression, genetic association, and metabolic studies have implicated the polyamine system in psychiatric conditions, including suicide. Given the extensive regulation of genes involved in polyamine metabolism, as well as their interconnections with the metabolism of other amino acids, we were interested in further investigating the expression of polyamine-related genes across the brain in order to obtain a more comprehensive view of the dysregulation of this system in suicide. To this end, we examined the expression of genes related to polyamine metabolism across 22 brain regions in a sample of 29 mood-disordered suicide completers and 16 controls, and identified 14 genes displaying differential expression. Among these, altered expression of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, spermine oxidase, and spermine synthase, has previously been observed in brains of suicide completers, while the remainder of the genes represent novel findings. In addition to genes with direct involvement in polyamine metabolism, including S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, ornithine decarboxylase antizymes 1 and 2, and arginase II, we identified altered expression of several more distally related genes, including aldehyde dehydrogenase 3 family, member A2, brain creatine kinase, mitochondrial creatine kinase 1, glycine amidinotransferase, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 1, and arginyl-tRNA synthetase-like. Many of these genes displayed altered expression across several brain regions, strongly implying that dysregulated polyamine metabolism is a widespread phenomenon in the brains of suicide completers. This study provides a broader view of the nature and extent of the dysregulation of the polyamine system in suicide, and highlights the importance of this system in the neurobiology of suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Fiori
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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21
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Zhang Z, Norris J, Schwartz C, Alexov E. In silico and in vitro investigations of the mutability of disease-causing missense mutation sites in spermine synthase. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20373. [PMID: 21647366 PMCID: PMC3103547 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2011] [Accepted: 04/30/2011] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Spermine synthase (SMS) is a key enzyme controlling the concentration of spermidine and spermine in the cell. The importance of SMS is manifested by the fact that single missense mutations were found to cause Snyder-Robinson Syndrome (SRS). At the same time, currently there are no non-synonymous single nucleoside polymorphisms, nsSNPs (harmless mutations), found in SMS, which may imply that the SMS does not tolerate amino acid substitutions, i.e. is not mutable. Methodology/Principal Findings To investigate the mutability of the SMS, we carried out in silico analysis and in vitro experiments of the effects of amino acid substitutions at the missense mutation sites (G56, V132 and I150) that have been shown to cause SRS. Our investigation showed that the mutation sites have different degree of mutability depending on their structural micro-environment and involvement in the function and structural integrity of the SMS. It was found that the I150 site does not tolerate any mutation, while V132, despite its key position at the interface of SMS dimer, is quite mutable. The G56 site is in the middle of the spectra, but still quite sensitive to charge residue replacement. Conclusions/Significance The performed analysis showed that mutability depends on the detail of the structural and functional factors and cannot be predicted based on conservation of wild type properties alone. Also, harmless nsSNPs can be expected to occur even at sites at which missense mutations were found to cause diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhang
- Computational Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Department of Physics, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Joy Norris
- J.C. Self Research Institute of Human Genetics, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Charles Schwartz
- J.C. Self Research Institute of Human Genetics, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, South Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Emil Alexov
- Computational Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Department of Physics, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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22
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Schwartz CE, Wang X, Stevenson RE, Pegg AE. Spermine synthase deficiency resulting in X-linked intellectual disability (Snyder-Robinson syndrome). Methods Mol Biol 2011; 720:437-445. [PMID: 21318891 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-034-8_28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Polyamines, small positively charged molecules, are vital for cell proliferation and differentiation. They are found ubiquitously in eukaryotic cells. Additionally, they interact with a wide range of other molecules and some membrane associated receptors. Polyamines, spermidine and spermine, are synthesized by two aminopropyltransferases, spermidine synthase and spermine synthase. Recently, mutations in the latter enzyme have been shown to be responsible for an X-linked intellectual disability condition known as Snyder-Robinson syndrome. Spermine synthase deficiency is thus far the only known polyamine deficiency syndrome in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E Schwartz
- Greenwood Genetic Center, J.C. Self Research Institute, Greenwood, SC, USA.
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23
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Fiori LM, Wanner B, Jomphe V, Croteau J, Vitaro F, Tremblay RE, Bureau A, Turecki G. Association of polyaminergic loci with anxiety, mood disorders, and attempted suicide. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15146. [PMID: 21152090 PMCID: PMC2994870 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2010] [Accepted: 10/26/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The polyamine system has been implicated in a number of psychiatric conditions, which display both alterations in polyamine levels and altered expression of genes related to polyamine metabolism. Studies have identified associations between genetic variants in spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SAT1) and both anxiety and suicide, and several polymorphisms appear to play important roles in determining gene expression. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We genotyped 63 polymorphisms, spread across four polyaminergic genes (SAT1, spermine synthase (SMS), spermine oxidase (SMOX), and ornithine aminotransferase like-1 (OATL1)), in 1255 French-Canadian individuals who have been followed longitudinally for 22 years. We assessed univariate associations with anxiety, mood disorders, and attempted suicide, as assessed during early adulthood. We also investigated the involvement of gene-environment interactions in terms of childhood abuse, and assessed internalizing and externalizing symptoms as endophenotypes mediating these interactions. Overall, each gene was associated with at least one main outcome: anxiety (SAT1, SMS), mood disorders (SAT1, SMOX), and suicide attempts (SAT1, OATL1). Several SAT1 polymorphisms displayed disease-specific risk alleles, and polymorphisms in this gene were involved in gene-gene interactions with SMS to confer risk for anxiety disorders, as well as gene-environment interactions between childhood physical abuse and mood disorders. Externalizing behaviors demonstrated significant mediation with regards to the association between OATL1 and attempted suicide, however there was no evidence that externalizing or internalizing behaviors were appropriate endophenotypes to explain the associations with mood or anxiety disorders. Finally, childhood sexual abuse did not demonstrate mediating influences on any of our outcomes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These results demonstrate that genetic variants in polyaminergic genes are associated with psychiatric conditions, each of which involves a set of separate and distinct risk alleles. As several of these polymorphisms are associated with gene expression, these findings may provide mechanisms to explain the alterations in polyamine metabolism which have been observed in psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. Fiori
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brigitte Wanner
- Research Unit on Children's Psychosocial Maladjustment, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Valérie Jomphe
- Centre de recherche Université Laval Robert-Giffard, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jordie Croteau
- Centre de recherche Université Laval Robert-Giffard, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Frank Vitaro
- Research Unit on Children's Psychosocial Maladjustment, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Richard E. Tremblay
- Research Unit on Children's Psychosocial Maladjustment, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- School of Public Health and Population Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alexandre Bureau
- Centre de recherche Université Laval Robert-Giffard, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Abstract
The Snyder-Robinson syndrome is caused by missense mutations in the spermine sythase gene that encodes a protein (SMS) of 529 amino acids. Here we investigate, in silico, the molecular effect of three missense mutations, c.267G>A (p.G56S), c.496T>G (p.V132G), and c.550T>C (p.I150T) in SMS that were clinically identified to cause the disease. Single-point energy calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, and pKa calculations revealed the effects of these mutations on SMS's stability, flexibility, and interactions. It was predicted that the catalytic residue, Asp276, should be protonated prior binding the substrates. The pKa calculations indicated the p.I150T mutation causes pKa changes with respect to the wild-type SMS, which involve titratable residues interacting with the S-methyl-5'-thioadenosine (MTA) substrate. The p.I150T missense mutation was also found to decrease the stability of the C-terminal domain and to induce structural changes in the vicinity of the MTA binding site. The other two missense mutations, p.G56S and p.V132G, are away from active site and do not perturb its wild-type properties, but affect the stability of both the monomers and the dimer. Specifically, the p.G56S mutation is predicted to greatly reduce the affinity of monomers to form a dimer, and therefore should have a dramatic effect on SMS function because dimerization is essential for SMS activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhang
- Computational Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Department of Physics, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
| | - Shaolei Teng
- Computational Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Department of Physics, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
- Department of Genetics & Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
| | - Liangjiang Wang
- Department of Genetics & Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
- J.C. Self Research Institute of Human Genetics, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC 29646
| | - Charles E. Schwartz
- Department of Genetics & Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
- J.C. Self Research Institute of Human Genetics, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC 29646
| | - Emil Alexov
- Computational Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Department of Physics, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
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Rodríguez-Kessler M, Delgado-Sánchez P, Rodríguez-Kessler GT, Moriguchi T, Jiménez-Bremont JF. Genomic organization of plant aminopropyl transferases. Plant Physiol Biochem 2010; 48:574-590. [PMID: 20381365 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2010.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2009] [Revised: 03/05/2010] [Accepted: 03/12/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Aminopropyl transferases like spermidine synthase (SPDS; EC 2.5.1.16), spermine synthase and thermospermine synthase (SPMS, tSPMS; EC 2.5.1.22) belong to a class of widely distributed enzymes that use decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine as an aminopropyl donor and putrescine or spermidine as an amino acceptor to form in that order spermidine, spermine or thermospermine. We describe the analysis of plant genomic sequences encoding SPDS, SPMS, tSPMS and PMT (putrescine N-methyltransferase; EC 2.1.1.53). Genome organization (including exon size, gain and loss, as well as intron number, size, loss, retention, placement and phase, and the presence of transposons) of plant aminopropyl transferase genes were compared between the genomic sequences of SPDS, SPMS and tSPMS from Zea mays, Oryza sativa, Malus x domestica, Populus trichocarpa, Arabidopsis thaliana and Physcomitrella patens. In addition, the genomic organization of plant PMT genes, proposed to be derived from SPDS during the evolution of alkaloid metabolism, is illustrated. Herein, a particular conservation and arrangement of exon and intron sequences between plant SPDS, SPMS and PMT genes that clearly differs with that of ACL5 genes, is shown. The possible acquisition of the plant SPMS exon II and, in particular exon XI in the monocot SPMS genes, is a remarkable feature that allows their differentiation from SPDS genes. In accordance with our in silico analysis, functional complementation experiments of the maize ZmSPMS1 enzyme (previously considered to be SPDS) in yeast demonstrated its spermine synthase activity. Another significant aspect is the conservation of intron sequences among SPDS and PMT paralogs. In addition the existence of microsynteny among some SPDS paralogs, especially in P. trichocarpa and A. thaliana, supports duplication events of plant SPDS genes. Based in our analysis, we hypothesize that SPMS genes appeared with the divergence of vascular plants by a processes of gene duplication and the acquisition of unique exons of as-yet unknown origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Rodríguez-Kessler
- Departamento de Biología Molecular de Plantas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, CP 62210, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
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26
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Abstract
Alterations in the levels of spermine synthase (SMS) and spermine oxidase (SMOX), two enzymes involved in polyamine metabolism, have previously been observed in brains of suicide completers. To characterize the roles played by genetic and epigenetic factors in determining expression levels of these genes, as well as to identify potential mechanisms by which to explain our findings in suicide completers, we (1) assessed the role of promoter polymorphisms in determining expression in the brain and in vitro, and (2) examined CpG methylation and levels of methylated histone H3 lysine-27 in the promoter regions of these genes in the prefrontal cortex of suicide completers and healthy controls. We identified several promoter haplotypes in SMS and SMOX, but found no consistent effects of haplotype on expression levels in either the brain or in reporter gene assays performed in three different cell lines. We also found no overall effects of epigenetic factors in determining expression, with the exception of a relationship between CpG methylation at one site in the promoter of SMOX and its expression in Brodmann area 8/9. In conclusion, the genetic and epigenetic factors examined in this study show little influence on the expression levels of SMS and SMOX, and do not appear to be responsible for the dysregulated expression of these genes in suicide completers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Fiori
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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27
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Wang X, Levic S, Gratton MA, Doyle KJ, Yamoah EN, Pegg AE. Spermine synthase deficiency leads to deafness and a profound sensitivity to alpha-difluoromethylornithine. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:930-7. [PMID: 19001365 PMCID: PMC2613633 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m807758200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2008] [Revised: 11/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Male gyro (Gy) mice, which have an X chromosomal deletion inactivating the SpmS and Phex genes, were found to be profoundly hearing impaired. This defect was due to alteration in polyamine content due to the absence of spermine synthase, the product of the SpmS gene. It was reversed by breeding the Gy strain with CAG/SpmS mice, a transgenic line that ubiquitously expresses spermine synthase under the control of a composite cytomegalovirus-IE enhancer/chicken beta-actin promoter. There was an almost complete loss of the endocochlear potential in the Gy mice, which parallels the hearing deficiency, and this was also reversed by the production of spermine from the spermine synthase transgene. Gy mice showed a striking toxic response to treatment with the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). Within 2-3 days of exposure to DFMO in the drinking water, the Gy mice suffered a catastrophic loss of motor function resulting in death within 5 days. This effect was due to an inability to maintain normal balance and was also prevented by the transgenic expression of spermine synthase. DFMO treatment of control mice or Gy-CAG/SpmS had no effect on balance. The loss of balance in Gy mice treated with DFMO was due to inhibition of polyamine synthesis because it was prevented by administration of putrescine. Our results are consistent with a critical role for polyamines in regulation of Kir channels that maintain the endocochlear potential and emphasize the importance of normal spermidine:spermine ratio in the hearing and balance functions of the inner ear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Wang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
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Romer P, Faltermeier A, Mertins V, Gedrange T, Mai R, Proff P. Investigations about N-aminopropyl transferases probably involved in biomineralization. J Physiol Pharmacol 2008; 59 Suppl 5:27-37. [PMID: 19075322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2008] [Accepted: 10/15/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Polyamines are widespread distributed all over in living organisms. In Thalassiosira pseudonana 10 N-aminopropyl transferase like nucleotide sequences exists. It is assumed that these sequences are involved in the biomineralization of the diatom shell. The cDNA of the sequences were cloned, recombinant overexpressed and assayed with decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine and several radioactive labelled polyamines. However, only a spermidine synthase and a thermospermine synthase were found to be enzymatically active in an in vitro assay. Both enzyme activities could be recognized in the crude extracts of Thalassiosira pseudonana and Cyclotella meneghiana. In further investigations the kinetics of the thermospermine synthase was determined and a site-specific mutagenesis of the bindig cavity of decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine was carried out.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Romer
- Department of Orthodontics, Regensburg University, Germany.
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29
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Abstract
Loss-of-function mutants of the ACAULIS5 (ACL5) gene in Arabidopsis thaliana have severe defects in stem elongation. ACL5 was previously reported as encoding a spermine synthase. A more recent study, however, showed that the bacterial expressed recombinant ACL5 protein catalyzes the conversion of spermidine to thermospermine, a structural isomer of spermine, rather than to spermine. In the present study, we found that thermospermine was detected in wild-type seedlings but was not detectable in the acl5-1 mutant. We further examined the effect of exogenous application of these isomers on the growth of acl5-1. Daily application of 0.1 mM thermospermine onto the shoot apex partially rescued the dwarf phenotype of acl5-1, while that of spermine had no effects on the morphology of the mutant. The acl5-1 transcript level in acl5-1 seedlings, which is much higher than the ACL5 transcript level in wild-type seedlings, was reduced by exogenous thermospermine. Thus we conclude that thermospermine is indeed produced through the action of ACL5 and required for stem elongation in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-ichi Kakehi
- Division of Bioscience, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530 Japan
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30
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Efrose RC, Flemetakis E, Sfichi L, Stedel C, Kouri ED, Udvardi MK, Kotzabasis K, Katinakis P. Characterization of spermidine and spermine synthases in Lotus japonicus: induction and spatial organization of polyamine biosynthesis in nitrogen fixing nodules. Planta 2008; 228:37-49. [PMID: 18320213 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-008-0717-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2007] [Accepted: 02/15/2008] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The biosynthesis of the polyamines spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) from putrescine (Put) is catalysed by the consequent action of two aminopropyltransferases, spermidine synthase (SPDS EC: 2.5.1.16) and spermine synthase (SPMS EC: 2.5.1.22). Two cDNA clones coding for SPDS and SPMS homologues in the nitrogen-fixing nodules of the model legume Lotus japonicus were identified. Functionality of the encoded polypeptides was confirmed by their ability to complement spermidine and spermine deficiencies in yeast. The temporal and spatial expression pattern of the respective genes was correlated with the accumulation of total polyamines in symbiotic and non-symbiotic organs. Expression of both genes was maximal at early stages of nodule development, while at later stages the levels of both transcripts declined. Both genes were expressed in nodule inner cortical cells, vascular bundles, and central tissue. In contrast to gene expression, increasing amounts of Put, Spd, and Spm were found to accumulate during nodule development and after maturity. Interestingly, nodulated plants exhibited systemic changes in both LjSPDS and LjSPMS transcript levels and polyamine content in roots, stem and leaves, in comparison to uninoculated plants. These results give new insights into the neglected role of polyamines during nodule development and symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF).
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Affiliation(s)
- R C Efrose
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
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31
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Kuratomi G, Iwamoto K, Bundo M, Kusumi I, Kato N, Iwata N, Ozaki N, Kato T. Aberrant DNA methylation associated with bipolar disorder identified from discordant monozygotic twins. Mol Psychiatry 2008; 13:429-41. [PMID: 17471289 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mp.4002001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
To search DNA methylation difference between monozygotic twins discordant for bipolar disorder, we applied a comprehensive genome scan method, methylation-sensitive representational difference analysis (MS-RDA) to lymphoblastoid cells derived from the twins. MS-RDA isolated 10 DNA fragments derived from 5' region of known genes/ESTs. Among these 10 regions, four regions showed DNA methylation differences between bipolar twin and control co-twin confirmed by bisulfite sequencing. We performed a case-control study of DNA methylation status of these four regions by pyrosequencing. Two regions, upstream regions of spermine synthase (SMS) and peptidylprolyl isomerase E-like (PPIEL) (CN265253), showed aberrant DNA methylation status in bipolar disorder. SMS, a gene on X chromosome, showed significantly higher DNA methylation level in female patients with bipolar disorder compared with control females. However, there was no difference of mRNA expression. In PPIEL, DNA methylation level was significantly lower in patients with bipolar II disorder than in controls. The expression level of PPIEL was significantly higher in bipolar II disorder than in controls. We found strong inverse correlation between gene expression and DNA methylation levels of PPIEL. These results suggest that altered DNA methylation statuses of PPIEL might have some significance in pathophysiology of bipolar disorder..
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kuratomi
- Laboratory for Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders, Brain Science Institute, RIKEN, Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, Japan
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32
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Bae H, Kim SH, Kim MS, Sicher RC, Lary D, Strem MD, Natarajan S, Bailey BA. The drought response of Theobroma cacao (cacao) and the regulation of genes involved in polyamine biosynthesis by drought and other stresses. Plant Physiol Biochem 2008; 46:174-88. [PMID: 18042394 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2007.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2007] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Drought can negatively impact pod production despite the fact that cacao production usually occurs in tropical areas having high rainfall. Polyamines (PAs) have been associated with the response of plants to drought in addition to their roles in responses to many other stresses. The constitutive and drought inducible expression patterns of genes encoding enzymes involved in PA biosynthesis were determined: an ornithine decarboxylase (TcODC), an arginine decarboxylase (TcADC), an S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (TcSAMDC), a spermidine synthase (TcSPDS), and a spermine synthase (TcSPMS). Expression analysis using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (QPCR) results showed that the PA biosynthesis genes were expressed in all plant tissues examined. Constitutive expression of PA biosynthesis genes was generally highest in mature leaves and open flowers. Expression of TcODC, TcADC, and TcSAMDC was induced with the onset of drought and correlated with changes in stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, photosystem II efficiency, leaf water potential and altered emission of blue-green fluorescence from cacao leaves. Induction of TcSAMDC in leaves was most closely correlated with changes in water potential. The earliest measured responses to drought were enhanced expression of TcADC and TcSAMDC in roots along with decreases in stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, and photosystem II efficiency. Elevated levels of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine were detected in cacao leaves 13days after the onset of drought. Expression of all five PA associated transcripts was enhanced (1.5-3-fold) in response to treatment with abscisic acid. TcODC and TcADC, were also responsive to mechanical wounding, infection by Phytophthora megakarya (a causal agent of black pod disease in cacao), the necrosis- and ethylene-inducing protein (Nep1) of Fusarium oxysporum, and flower abscission. TcSAMDC expression was responsive to all stresses except flower abscission. TcODC, although constitutively expressed at much lower levels than TcADC, TcSAMDC, TcSPDS, and TcSPMS, was highly inducible by the fungal protein Nep1 (135-fold) and the cacao pathogen Phytophthora megakarya (671-fold). The full length cDNA for ODC was cloned and characterized. Among the genes studied, TcODC, TcADC, and TcSAMDC were most sensitive to induction by drought in addition to other abiotic and biotic stresses. TcODC, TcADC, and TcSAMDC may share signal transduction pathways and/or the stress induced signal induction pathways may converge at these three genes leading to similar although not identical patterns of expression. It is possible altering PA levels in cacao will result in enhanced tolerance to multiple stresses including drought and disease as has been demonstrated in other crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanhong Bae
- US Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
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Knott JM, Römer P, Sumper M. Putative spermine synthases fromThalassiosira pseudonanaandArabidopsis thalianasynthesize thermospermine rather than spermine. FEBS Lett 2007; 581:3081-6. [PMID: 17560575 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2007.05.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2007] [Revised: 05/23/2007] [Accepted: 05/27/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Polyamines are involved in many fundamental cellular processes. Common polyamines are putrescine, spermidine and spermine. Spermine is synthesized by transfer of an aminopropyl residue derived from decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine to spermidine. Thermospermine is an isomer of spermine and assumed to be synthesized by an analogous mechanism. However, none of the recently described spermine synthases was investigated for their possible activity as thermospermine synthases. In this work, putative spermine synthases from the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana and from Arabidopsis thaliana could be identified as thermospermine synthases. These findings may explain the previous result that two putative spermine synthase genes in Arabidopsis produce completely different phenotypes in knock-out experiments. Likely, part of putative spermine synthases identifiable by sequence comparisons represents in fact thermospermine synthases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen M Knott
- Lehrstuhl Biochemie I, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Imai A, Hanzawa Y, Komura M, Yamamoto KT, Komeda Y, Takahashi T. The dwarf phenotype of the Arabidopsis acl5 mutant is suppressed by a mutation in an upstream ORF of a bHLH gene. Development 2006; 133:3575-85. [PMID: 16936072 DOI: 10.1242/dev.02535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutants of the Arabidopsis thaliana ACAULIS 5(ACL5) gene, which encodes spermine synthase, exhibit a severe dwarf phenotype. To elucidate the ACL5-mediated regulatory pathways of stem internode elongation, we isolated four suppressor of acaulis(sac) mutants that reverse the acl5 dwarf phenotype. Because these mutants do not rescue the dwarfism of known phytohormone-related mutants, the SAC genes appear to act specifically on the ACL5 pathways. We identify the gene responsible for the dominant sac51-d mutant, which almost completely suppresses the acl5phenotype. sac51-d disrupts a short upstream open reading frame(uORF) of SAC51, which encodes a bHLH-type transcription factor. Our results indicate that premature termination of the uORF in sac51-dresults in an increase in its own transcript level, probably as a result of an increased translation of the main ORF. We suggest a model in which ACL5 plays a role in the translational activation of SAC51,which may lead to the expression of a subset of genes required for stem elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Imai
- Division of Bioscience, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
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Abstract
To investigate the role of polyamines in pre- and post-harvest fruit development of 'Akatsuki' peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.) we measured polyamine concentrations, activities of polyamine biosynthetic enzymes and expression of genes encoding these enzymes. Concentrations of the free polyamines, putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) in pre-harvest fruit peaked 16 days after full bloom (DAF) and then progressively decreased until harvest with the exception of Put, which showed a second peak at 94 DAF, just before the onset of ethylene production. In post-harvest fruit, minor changes in concentrations of Spd and Spm were observed, whereas Put concentration peaked on the harvest day, followed by an abrupt decrease and a subsequent 2-fold increase, which was opposite to the fluctuating pattern of ethylene production. Activities of arginine decarboxylase (ADC) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) peaked during the first stage of fruit development and then decreased until 80 DAF, after which the activities were below detection limits, suggesting that Put is synthesized during the early stage of fruit development. Activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) decreased progressively until the end of S2. Expression levels of five putative polyamine biosynthetic genes, ADC, ODC, SAMDC, spermidine synthase (SPDS) and spermine synthase (SPMS), in pre-harvest and post-harvest fruit did not coincide precisely with the observed changes in enzymatic activities and polyamine concentrations. The possible role of polyamines during peach fruit development and the relationship between polyamines and ethylene biosynthesis are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihong Liu
- Department of Plant, Cell and Environment, National Institute of Fruit Tree Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8605, Japan
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Kitashiba H, Hao YJ, Honda C, Moriguchi T. Two types of spermine synthase gene: MdACL5 and MdSPMS are differentially involved in apple fruit development and cell growth. Gene 2005; 361:101-11. [PMID: 16182474 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2005.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2005] [Revised: 06/13/2005] [Accepted: 07/08/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Three cDNAs with high homology to spermine (Spm) synthases in Arabidopsis were isolated from apple [Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.]. MdACL5-1 and MdACL5-2 have high homology with ACL5 and MdSPMS has high homology with AtSPMS. The similarity of MdSPMS to spermidine synthases (SPDSs) was higher than that of MdACL5s, despite the fact that both are putative Spm synthases. However, MdSPMS could be discriminated from SPDSs by the presence of several characteristic amino acids, i.e., Val-149, Ser-161, Ala-205, and Val-235, in the decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine (dcSAM)-binding motif of MdSPMS. Both MdACL5-1 and MdSPMS complemented Spm biosynthesis in a yeast mutant deficient in Spm synthase, and ectopic expression of MdACL5-1 in the Arabidopsis dwarf mutant acl5 allowed recovery of the normal phenotype. RNA gel blot analysis showed that MdACL5 and MdSPMS are differentially expressed in tissues and suspension cells. These results suggest that functional MdACL5 and MdSPMS are independently involved in apple fruit development and cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyasu Kitashiba
- National Institute of Fruit Tree Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8605, Japan
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Clay NK, Nelson T. Arabidopsis thickvein mutation affects vein thickness and organ vascularization, and resides in a provascular cell-specific spermine synthase involved in vein definition and in polar auxin transport. Plant Physiol 2005; 138:767-77. [PMID: 15894745 PMCID: PMC1150395 DOI: 10.1104/pp.104.055756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Polar auxin transport has been implicated in the induction of vascular tissue and in the definition of vein positions. Leaves treated with chemical inhibitors of polar auxin transport exhibited vascular phenotypes that include increased vein thickness and vascularization. We describe a recessive mutant, thickvein (tkv), which develops thicker veins in leaves and in inflorescence stems. The increased vein thickness is attributable to an increased number of vascular cells. Mutant plants have smaller leaves and shorter inflorescence stems, and this reduction in organ size and height is accompanied by an increase in organ vascularization, which appears to be attributable to an increase in the recruitment of cells into veins. Furthermore, although floral development is normal, auxin transport in the inflorescence stem is significantly reduced in the mutant, suggesting that the defect in auxin transport is responsible for the vascular phenotypes. In the primary root, the veins appear morphologically normal, but root growth in the tkv mutant is hypersensitive to exogenous cytokinin. The tkv mutation was found to reside in the ACL5 gene, which encodes a spermine synthase and whose expression is specific to provascular cells. We propose that ACL5/TKV is involved in vein definition (defining the boundaries between veins and nonvein regions) and in polar auxin transport, and that polyamines are involved in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole K Clay
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8104, USA
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Ikeguchi Y, Wang X, McCLOSKEY D, Coleman C, Nelson P, Hu G, Shantz L, Pegg A. Characterization of transgenic mice with widespread overexpression of spermine synthase. Biochem J 2004; 381:701-7. [PMID: 15104536 PMCID: PMC1133879 DOI: 10.1042/bj20040419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2004] [Revised: 04/21/2004] [Accepted: 04/23/2004] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A widespread increase in SpmS (spermine synthase) activity has been produced in transgenic mice using a construct in which the human SpmS cDNA was placed under the control of a composite CMV-IE (cytomegalovirus immediate early gene) enhancer-chicken beta-actin promoter. Four separate founder CAG/SpmS mice were studied. Transgenic expression of SpmS was found in all of the tissues examined, but the relative SpmS activities varied widely according to the founder animal and the tissue studied. Very large increases in SpmS activity were seen in many tissues. SpdS (spermidine synthase) activity was not affected. Although there was a statistically significant decline in spermidine content and increase in spermine, the alterations were small compared with the increase in SpmS activity. These results provide strong support for the concept that the levels of the higher polyamines spermidine and spermine are not determined only by the relative activities of the two aminopropyltransferases. Other factors such as availability of the aminopropyl donor substrate decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine and possibly degradation or excretion must also influence the spermidine/spermine ratio. No deleterious effects of SpmS overexpression were seen. The mice had normal growth, fertility and behaviour up to the age of 12 months. However, breeding the CAG/SpmS mice with MHC (alpha-myosin heavy chain)/AdoMetDC (S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase) mice, which have a large increase in S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase expression in heart, was lethal. In contrast, breeding the CAG/SpmS mice with MHC/ODC (L-ornithine decarboxylase) mice, which have a large increase in cardiac ornithine decarboxylase expression, had a protective effect in preventing the small decrease in viability of the MHC/ODC mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiko Ikeguchi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033, U.S.A
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033, U.S.A
| | - Diane E. McCLOSKEY
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033, U.S.A
| | - Catherine S. Coleman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033, U.S.A
| | - Paul Nelson
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033, U.S.A
| | - Guirong Hu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033, U.S.A
| | - Lisa M. Shantz
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033, U.S.A
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Abstract
Spermidine is essential for viability in eukaryotes but the importance of the longer polyamine spermine has not been established. Spermine is formed from spermidine by the action of spermine synthase, an aminopropyltransferase, whose gene (SpmS) is located on the X chromosome. Deletion of part of the X chromosome that include SpmS in Gy mice leads to a striking phenotype in affected males that includes altered phosphate metabolism and symptoms of hypophosphatemic rickets, circling behavior, hyperactivity, head shaking, inner ear abnormalities, deafness, sterility, a profound postnatal growth retardation, and a propensity to sudden death. It was not clear to what extent these alterations were due to the loss of spermine synthase activity, since this chromosomal deletion extends well beyond the SpmS gene and includes at least one other gene termed Phex. We have bred the Gy carrier female mice with transgenic mice (CAG/SpmS mice) that express spermine synthase from the ubiquitous CAG promoter. The resulting Gy-CAG/SpmS mice had extremely high levels of spermine synthase and contained spermine in all tissues examined. These mice had a normal life span and fertility and a normal growth rate except for a reduction in body weight due to a loss of bone mass that was consistent with the observation that the derangement in phosphate metabolism is due to the loss of the Phex gene and was not restored. These results show that spermine synthesis is needed for normal growth, viability, and fertility in male mice and that regulation of spermine synthase content is not required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Wang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
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Cason AL, Ikeguchi Y, Skinner C, Wood TC, Holden KR, Lubs HA, Martinez F, Simensen RJ, Stevenson RE, Pegg AE, Schwartz CE. X-linked spermine synthase gene (SMS) defect: the first polyamine deficiency syndrome. Eur J Hum Genet 2004; 11:937-44. [PMID: 14508504 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) are ubiquitous, simple molecules that interact with a variety of other molecules in the cell, including nucleic acids, phospholipids and proteins. Various studies indicate that polyamines are essential for normal cell growth and differentiation. Furthermore, these molecules, especially spermine, have been shown to modulate ion channel activities of certain cells. Nonetheless, little is known about the specific cellular functions of these compounds, and extensive laboratory investigations have failed to identify a heritable condition in humans in which polyamine synthesis is perturbed. We report the first polyamine deficiency syndrome caused by a defect in spermine synthase (SMS). The defect results from a splice mutation, and is associated with the Snyder-Robinson syndrome (SRS, OMIM_309583), an X-linked mental retardation disorder. The affected males have mild-to-moderate mental retardation (MR), hypotonia, cerebellar circuitry dysfunction, facial asymmetry, thin habitus, osteoporosis, kyphoscoliosis, decreased activity of SMS, correspondingly low levels of intracellular spermine in lymphocytes and fibroblasts, and elevated spermidine/spermine ratios. The clinical features observed in SRS are consistent with cerebellar dysfunction and a defective functioning of red nucleus neurons, which, at least in rats, contain high levels of spermine. Additionally, the presence of MR reflects a role for spermine in cognitive function, possibly by spermine's ability to function as an 'intrinsic gateway' molecule for inward rectifier K(+) channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Lauren Cason
- 1J.C. Self Research Institute, Greenwood Genetic Center, 1 Gregor Mendel Circle, Greenwood, SC 29646, USA
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Abstract
Spermine is the final product of the polyamine biosynthetic pathway and is ubiquitously present in most organisms. The genome of Arabidopsis thaliana has two genes encoding spermine synthase: ACAULIS5 (ACL5), whose loss-of-function mutants show a severe defect in stem elongation, and SPMS. In order to elucidate the function of spermine in plants, we isolated a T-DNA insertion mutant of the SPMS gene. Free and conjugated spermine levels in the mutant, designated spms-1, were significantly decreased compared with those in the wild-type, but no obvious morphological phenotype was observed in spms-1 plants. We further confirmed that acl5-1 spms-1 double mutants contained no spermine. Surprisingly, acl5-1 spms-1 was fully as viable as the wild-type and showed no phenotype except for the reduced stem growth due to acl5-1. These results indicate that spermine is not essential for survival of Arabidopsis, at least under normal growth conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Imai
- Division of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, 060-0810, Sapporo, Japan
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Abstract
The polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine are organic cations shown to participate in a bewildering number of cellular reactions, yet their exact functions in intermediary metabolism and specific interactions with cellular components remain largely elusive. Pharmacological interventions have demonstrated convincingly that a steady supply of these compounds is a prerequisite for cell proliferation to occur. The last decade has witnessed the appearance of a substantial number of studies, in which genetic engineering of polyamine metabolism in transgenic rodents has been employed to unravel their cellular functions. Transgenic activation of polyamine biosynthesis through an overexpression of their biosynthetic enzymes has assigned specific roles for these compounds in spermatogenesis, skin physiology, promotion of tumorigenesis and organ hypertrophy as well as neuronal protection. Transgenic activation of polyamine catabolism not only profoundly disturbs polyamine homeostasis in most tissues, but also creates a complex phenotype affecting skin, female fertility, fat depots, pancreatic integrity and regenerative growth. Transgenic expression of ornithine decarboxylase antizyme has suggested that this unique protein may act as a general tumor suppressor. Homozygous deficiency of the key biosynthetic enzymes of the polyamines, ornithine and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, as achieved through targeted disruption of their genes, is not compatible with murine embryogenesis. Finally, the first reports of human diseases apparently caused by mutations or rearrangements of the genes involved in polyamine metabolism have appeared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhani Jänne
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland.
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Ikeguchi Y, Mackintosh CA, McCloskey DE, Pegg AE. Effect of spermine synthase on the sensitivity of cells to anti-tumour agents. Biochem J 2003; 373:885-92. [PMID: 12737625 PMCID: PMC1223546 DOI: 10.1042/bj20030246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2003] [Revised: 04/09/2003] [Accepted: 05/09/2003] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The role of spermine in the sensitivity of cells to various established and experimental anti-tumour agents was examined, using paired cell lines that possess or lack spermine synthase. All spermine-synthase-deficient cells had no detectable spermine, and elevated spermidine, content. Spermine content did not alter the cell growth rate. There was little or no difference in sensitivity of immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts to doxorubicin, etoposide, cisplatin, methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) or H(2)O(2) and only a slight increase in sensitivity to vinblastine and nocodazole. However, the absence of spermine clearly increased the sensitivity to 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)- N -nitrosourea, suggesting that depletion of spermine may be a useful way to increase the anti-neoplastic effects of anti-tumour agents that form chloroethyl-mediated interstrand DNA cross-links. The effects of spermine on the response to polyamine analogues (which have been proposed to be useful anti-neoplastic agents) were complex, and depended on the compound examined and on the cells tested. Sensitivity to CHENSpm ( N (1)-ethyl- N (11)-[(cycloheptyl)methyl]-4,8-diazaundecane) was substantially greater in immortalized fibroblasts that lack spermine. In contrast, BE-3-4-3 [ N (1), N (12)-bis(ethyl)spermine] and BE-3-3-3 [ N (1), N (11)-bis(ethyl)norspermine] were more active against cells that contained spermine. The presence of spermine correlated with a greater induction of spermidine/spermine- N (1)-acetyltransferase by BE-3-3-3, which is consistent with suggestions that this induction is important for the response to this drug. These findings support the concepts that different polyamine analogues have different sites of action and that CHENSpm has a different site of action from BE-3-3-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiko Ikeguchi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology (H166), Room C4737, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
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Stefanelli C, Pignatti C, Tantini B, Fattori M, Stanic I, Mackintosh CA, Flamigni F, Guarnieri C, Caldarera CM, Pegg AE. Effect of polyamine depletion on caspase activation: a study with spermine synthase-deficient cells. Biochem J 2001; 355:199-206. [PMID: 11256964 PMCID: PMC1221727 DOI: 10.1042/0264-6021:3550199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Activation of the caspase proteases represents a central point in apoptosis. The requirement for spermine for the processes leading to caspase activation has been studied in transformed embryonic fibroblasts obtained from gyro (Gy) mutant male mice. These cells lack spermine synthase activity and thus provide a valuable model to study the role of spermine in cell processes. Gy fibroblasts do not contain spermine and have a higher spermidine content. However, when compared with fibroblasts obtained from normal male littermates (N cells), Gy fibroblasts were observed to grow normally. The lack of spermine did not affect the expression of Bcl-2, and caspases 3 and 9 were activated by etoposide in both N and Gy cells, indicating that spermine is dispensable for caspase activation. Spermine deficiency did not significantly influence caspase activity in cells treated with etoposide, cycloheximide or staurosporine, but sensitized the cells to UV irradiation, which triggered significantly higher caspase activity in Gy cells compared with N cells. alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an inhibitor of polyamine synthesis that is able to deplete cells of putrescine and spermidine, but usually does not influence spermine content, was able to produce a more complete polyamine depletion in Gy cells. This depletion, which included spermine deficiency, dramatically increased caspase activation and cell death in Gy fibroblasts exposed to UV irradiation. On the other hand, in either N or Gy cells, DFMO treatment did not influence caspase activity triggered by staurosporine, but inhibited it when the inducers were cycloheximide or etoposide. In Gy cells depleted of polyamines by DFMO, polyamine replenishment with either spermidine or spermine was sufficient to restore caspase activity induced by etoposide, indicating that, in this model, polyamines have an interchangeable role in supporting caspase activation. Therefore, spermine is not required for such activation, and the effect and specificity of polyamine depletion on caspase activity may be very different, depending on the role of polyamines in the specific death pathways engaged by different stimuli. Some inducers of apoptosis, for example etoposide, absolutely require polyamines for caspase activation, yet the lack of polyamines, particularly spermine, strongly increases caspase activation when induced by UV irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Stefanelli
- Department of Biochemistry G. Moruzzi, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, I-40126 Bologna, Italy.
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Korhonen VP, Niiranen K, Halmekytö M, Pietilä M, Diegelman P, Parkkinen JJ, Eloranta T, Porter CW, Alhonen L, Jänne J. Spermine deficiency resulting from targeted disruption of the spermine synthase gene in embryonic stem cells leads to enhanced sensitivity to antiproliferative drugs. Mol Pharmacol 2001; 59:231-8. [PMID: 11160858 DOI: 10.1124/mol.59.2.231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyamines are known to be essential for normal cell growth and differentiation. However, despite numerous studies, specific cellular functions of polyamines in general and individual polyamines in particular have remained only tentative, because of a lack of appropriate cell lines in which genes of polyamine-synthesizing enzymes have been disrupted by gene targeting. With the use of homologous recombination technique, we disrupted the gene encoding spermine synthase in mouse embryonic stem cells. The spermine synthase gene is located on X chromosome in mouse and, because the cells used in this study were of XY karyotype, a single targeting event was sufficient to result in null genotype. The targeted cells did not have any measurable spermine synthase activity and were totally devoid of the polyamine spermine. Spermine deficiency led to a substantial increase in spermidine content, but the total polyamine content was nearly unchanged. Despite the lack of spermine, these cells displayed a growth rate that was nearly similar to that of the parental cells and showed no overt morphological changes. However, the spermine-deficient cells were significantly more sensitive to the growth inhibition exerted by 2-difluoromethylornithine, an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase. Similarly, methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), an inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, and diethylnorspermine, a polyamine analog, although exerting cytostatic growth inhibition on wild-type cells, were clearly cytotoxic to the spermine-deficient cells. The spermine-deficient cells were also much more sensitive to etoposide-induced DNA damage than their wild-type counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- V P Korhonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland.
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Nilsson J, Gritli-Linde A, Heby O. Skin fibroblasts from spermine synthase-deficient hemizygous gyro male (Gy/Y) mice overproduce spermidine and exhibit increased resistance to oxidative stress but decreased resistance to UV irradiation. Biochem J 2000; 352 Pt 2:381-7. [PMID: 11085931 PMCID: PMC1221469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Hemizygous gyro male (Gy/Y) mice are a model for X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets. As in humans, the disease is caused by deletions in the Phex gene, a phosphate-regulating gene having homologies with endopeptidases on the X chromosome. Some phenotypic abnormalities in Gy/Y mice have recently been attributed to the fact that the Gy deletion also includes the neighbouring spermine synthase gene, resulting in spermine deficiency. Spermine and its precursors spermidine and putrescine are essential for cell growth and differentiation. As a novel method for studying the function of spermine, we established primary cultures of skin fibroblasts from hemizygous Gy/Y mice. The Gy/Y cells contained no detectable spermine. In view of the fact that spermine is a free-radical scavenger in vitro, we were surprised to find that Gy/Y cells were more resistant to oxidative stress than their normal (X/Y) counterparts. However, our finding that spermidine accumulates markedly in the spermine-deficient Gy/Y cells can probably explain this increased resistance. It is the first indication that spermidine can serve as a free-radical scavenger in vivo and not only in vitro. When subjecting the Gy/Y cells to UV-C irradiation we made another interesting finding: the mutant cells were more sensitive than the normal X/Y cells. This finding indicates that spermine, probably because of its high-affinity binding to DNA, is important in protection against chromatin damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Nilsson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Division of Physiology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden.
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Lopatin AN, Shantz LM, Mackintosh CA, Nichols CG, Pegg AE. Modulation of potassium channels in the hearts of transgenic and mutant mice with altered polyamine biosynthesis. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2000; 32:2007-24. [PMID: 11040105 DOI: 10.1006/jmcc.2000.1232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Inward rectification of cardiac I(K1)channels was modulated by genetic manipulation of the naturally occurring polyamines. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) was overexpressed in mouse heart under control of the cardiac alpha -myosin heavy chain promoter (alpha MHC). In ODC transgenic hearts, putrescine and cadaverine levels were highly elevated ( identical with 35-fold for putrescine), spermidine was increased 3.6-fold, but spermine was essentially unchanged. I(K1)density was reduced by identical with 38%, although the voltage-dependence of rectification was essentially unchanged. Interestingly, the fast component of transient outward (I(to,f)) current was increased, but the total outward current amplitude was unchanged. I(K1)and I(to)currents were also studied in myocytes from mutant Gyro (Gy) mice in which the spermine synthase gene is disrupted, leading to a complete loss of spermine. I(K1)current densities were not altered in Gy myocytes, but the steepness of rectification was reduced indicating a role for spermine in controlling rectification. Intracellular dialysis of myocytes with putrescine, spermidine and spermine caused reduction, no change and increase of the steepness of rectification, respectively. Taken together with kinetic analysis of I(K1)activation these results are consistent with spermine being a major rectifying factor at potentials positive to E(K), spermidine dominating at potentials around and negative to E(K), and putrescine playing no significant role in rectification in the mouse heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Lopatin
- Department of Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Hanzawa Y, Takahashi T, Michael AJ, Burtin D, Long D, Pineiro M, Coupland G, Komeda Y. ACAULIS5, an Arabidopsis gene required for stem elongation, encodes a spermine synthase. EMBO J 2000; 19:4248-56. [PMID: 10944107 PMCID: PMC302034 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/19.16.4248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyamines have been implicated in a wide range of biological processes, including growth and development in bacteria and animals, but their function in higher plants is unclear. Here we show that the Arabidopsis: ACAULIS5 (ACL5) gene, whose inactivation causes a defect in the elongation of stem internodes by reducing cell expansion, encodes a protein that shares sequence similarity with the polyamine biosynthetic enzymes spermidine synthase and spermine synthase. Expression of the recombinant ACL5 protein in Escherichia coli showed that ACL5 possesses spermine synthase activity. Restoration of the acl5 mutant phenotype by somatic reversion of a transposon-induced allele suggests a non-cell-autonomous function for the ACL5 gene product. We also found that expression of the ACL5 cDNA under the control of a heat shock gene promoter in acl5 mutant plants restores the phenotype in a heat shock-dependent manner. The results of the experiments showed that polyamines play an essential role in promotion of internode elongation through cell expansion in Arabidopsis: We discuss the relationships to plant growth regulators such as auxin and gibberellins that have related functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Hanzawa
- Division of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, N10, W8, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
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Boeddrich A, Burgtorf C, Roest Crollius H, Hennig S, Bernot A, Clark M, Reinhardt R, Lehrach H, Francis F. Analysis of the spermine synthase gene region in Fugu rubripes, Tetraodon fluviatilis, and Danio rerio. Genomics 1999; 57:164-8. [PMID: 10191098 DOI: 10.1006/geno.1998.5732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A prerequisite to understanding the evolution of the human X chromosome is the analysis of synteny of X-linked genes in different species. We have focused on the spermine synthase gene in human Xp22. 1. We show that whereas the human gene spans a genomic region of 54 kb, the Fugu rubripes gene is encompassed in a 4.7-kb region. However, we could not find conserved synteny between this region of human Xp22 and the equivalent F. rubripes region. A cosmid clone containing the F. rubripes gene does not contain other X-linked genes. Instead we identified homologs of human genes that are autosomally localized: the ryanodine receptor type I (RYRI), which is implicated in malignant hyperthermia and central core disease, and the HE6 gene. Comparison of the F. rubripes, Tetraodon fluviatilis, mouse, human, and Danio rerio 5'UTRs of spermine synthase highlights conserved sequences potentially involved in regulation. Interestingly, pseudogenes of this gene that are present in the human and mouse genomes seem to be absent in the compact F. rubripes genome. Analysis of a D. rerio PAC clone containing spermine synthase shows an intermediate genomic size in this fish. Sequence analysis of this PAC clone did not reveal other known genes: neither the RYRI gene, nor the HE6 gene, nor other human Xp22 genes were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Boeddrich
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Genetik, Ihnestrasse 73, Berlin (Dahlem), D-14195, Germany
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Hamasaki-Katagiri N, Katagiri Y, Tabor CW, Tabor H. Spermine is not essential for growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: identification of the SPE4 gene (spermine synthase) and characterization of a spe4 deletion mutant. Gene 1998; 210:195-201. [PMID: 9573363 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1119(98)00027-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Spermine, ubiquitously present in most organisms, is the final product of the biosynthetic pathway for polyamines and is synthesized from spermidine. In order to investigate the physiological roles of spermine, we identified the SPE4 gene, which codes for spermine synthase, on the right arm of chromosome XII of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and prepared a deletion mutant in this gene. This mutant has neither spermine nor spermine synthase activity. Using the spe4 deletion mutant, we show that S. cerevisiae does not require spermine for growth, even though spermine is normally present in the wild-type organism. This is in striking contrast to the absolute requirement of S. cerevisiae for spermidine for growth, which we had previously reported using a mutant lacking the SPE3 gene (spermidine synthase) [Hamasaki-Katagiri, N., Tabor, C. W., Tabor, H., 1997. Spermidine biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Polyamine requirement of a null mutant of the SPE3 gene (spermidine synthase). Gene 187, 35-43].
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Affiliation(s)
- N Hamasaki-Katagiri
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-0830, USA
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