P. Mamont, M. Duchesne, J. Grove
Mar 15, 1978
Citations
8
Influential Citations
395
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Biochemical and biophysical research communications
Abstract
Abstract Both DL-α-Methyl orinithine (α-MeOrn), a competitive inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) (L-orinithine carboxy-lyase EC 4.1.1.17) and DL-α-difluoromethyl orinithine (α-DF MeOrn), a catalytic irreversible inhibitor of this enzyme, decrease the concentrations of putrescine and spermidine but not of spermine in rat hepatoma (HTC) cells and in mouse leukemia cells cultured in vitro . The depletion of the two amines is followed by a striking decrease in the rate of cell replication in both cell lines. Growth of human prostate adenoma cells is inhibited by α-DF MeOrn but not by α-MeOrn, illustrating the greater effectiveness of the irreversible inhibitor. These findings again support an essential function for putrescine and spermidine in cell division processes.