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Journal ArticleDOI

The physiology and biochemistry of polyamines in plants

01 Dec 1984-Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics (Arch Biochem Biophys)-Vol. 235, Iss: 2, pp 283-303
TL;DR: The authors' entry into the polyamine field was accidental, but their attention was drawn to a report that the rapid senescence of detached leaves of this plant could be delayed substantially by the application of arginine, and this work was started on cereal leaf protoplasts.
About: This article is published in Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics.The article was published on 1984-12-01. It has received 514 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Zeatin.
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Journal ArticleDOI
11 Mar 2010-Planta
TL;DR: The integration of polyamines with other metabolic pathways is discussed by focusing on molecular mechanisms of their action in abiotic stress tolerance by integrating with processes of reactive oxygen species (ROS) signalling, generation of nitric oxide, modulation of ion channel activities and Ca2+ homeostasis.
Abstract: Early studies on plant polyamine research pointed to their involvement in responses to different environmental stresses. During the last few years, genetic, transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches have unravelled key functions of different polyamines in the regulation of abiotic stress tolerance. Nevertheless, the precise molecular mechanism(s) by which polyamines control plant responses to stress stimuli are largely unknown. Recent studies indicate that polyamine signalling is involved in direct interactions with different metabolic routes and intricate hormonal cross-talks. Here we discuss the integration of polyamines with other metabolic pathways by focusing on molecular mechanisms of their action in abiotic stress tolerance. Recent advances in the cross talk between polyamines and abscisic acid are discussed and integrated with processes of reactive oxygen species (ROS) signalling, generation of nitric oxide, modulation of ion channel activities and Ca2+ homeostasis, amongst others.

931 citations


Cites background from "The physiology and biochemistry of ..."

  • ...…the formation of Put, which is synthesized from arginine in a reaction catalysed by arginine decarboxylase (ADC, EC 4.1.1.19) followed by two successive steps catalysed by agmatine iminohydrolase (AIH, EC 3.5.3.12) and N-carbamoylputrescine amidohydrolase (CPA, EC 3.5.1.53) (Slocum et al. 1984)....

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  • ...Decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine (dcSAM), the donor of aminopropyl groups, is formed by decarboxylation of SAM in a reaction catalysed by SAM decarboxylase (SAMDC, EC 4.1.1.50) (Slocum et al. 1984) (Fig....

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  • ...53) (Slocum et al. 1984)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Information is summarized about the involvement of polyamines as antioxidants against the potential abiotic stress-derived oxidative damage and other types of abiotic stresses, such as mineral deficiencies, chilling, wounding, heavy metals, UV, ozone and paraquat, where polyamine metabolism is also modified.
Abstract: In this review we will concentrate in the results published the last years regarding the involvement of polyamines in the plant responses to abiotic stresses, most remarkably on salt and drought stress. We will also turn to other types of abiotic stresses, less studied in relation to polyamine metabolism, such as mineral deficiencies, chilling, wounding, heavy metals, UV, ozone and paraquat, where polyamine metabolism is also modified. There is a great amount of data demonstrating that under many types of abiotic stresses, an accumulation of the three main polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine does occur. However, there are still many doubts concerning the role that polyamines play in stress tolerance. Several environmental challenges (osmotic stress, salinity, ozone, UV) are shown to induce ADC activity more than ODC. The rise in Put is mainly attributed to the increase in ADC activity as a consequence of the activation of ADC genes and their mRNA levels. On the other hand, free radicals are now accepted as important mediators of tissue injury and cell death. The polycationic nature of polyamines, positively charged at physiological pH, has attracted the attention of researchers and has led to the hypothesis that polyamines could affect physiological systems by binding to anionic sites, such as those associated with nucleic acids and membrane phospholipids. These amines, involved with the control of numerous cellular functions, including free radical scavenger and antioxidant activity, have been found to confer protection from abiotic stresses but their mode of action is not fully understood yet. In this review, we will also summarize information about the involvement of polyamines as antioxidants against the potential abiotic stress-derived oxidative damage.

725 citations


Cites background from "The physiology and biochemistry of ..."

  • ...It is well known that PA metabolism is altered in response to an inadequate nutrition in Kþ, Mg2þ or PO4 3 (Slocum et al., 1984; Flores, 1991)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A number of nitrogen containing compounds (NCC) accumulate in plants exposed to salinity stress, such as amino acids, amids, imino acids, proteins, quarternary ammonium compounds (QAC) and polyamines as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A number of nitrogen containing compounds (NCC) accumulate in plants exposed to salinity stress. The most frequently accumulating NCC include amino acids, amids, imino acids, proteins, quarternary ammonium compounds (QAC) and polyamines. The specific NCC that accumulate in saline environment vary with the plant species. Osmotic adjustment, protection of cellular macromolecules, storage form of nitrogen, maintaining cellular pH, detoxification of the cells, and scavenging of free radicals are proposed functions for these compounds under stress conditions. NCC accumulation is usually correlated with plant salt tolerance, even though this correlation is based on untested hypotheses.

563 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The purpose of this review is to summarize observations where polyamines were shown to be of importance in membrane functions.
Abstract: The purpose of this review is to summarize observations where polyamines were shown to be of importance in membrane functions. It is not meant to be exhaustive but rather focus on selected areas where the activity of the polyamines might be of physiological significance

414 citations

Book
01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: This book is the most comprehensive reference on citrus fruit biology, biotechnology and quality and discusses biotechnological applications and potential fresh citrus fruit quality improvement.
Abstract: Post harvest biology and technology of citrus fruits is gaining importance as the therapeutic value of citrus fruits is realized and supported by the increase in health awareness among the general public This book is the most comprehensive reference on citrus fruit biology, biotechnology and quality Basic and applied scientific information is interwoven to serve the researcher, marketer, scientist, nutritionist, or dietician With discussions of fruit morphology, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry and chapters on growth phases, maturity standards, grades and physical and mechanical characteristics of citrus trees, this book provides the foundation for understanding growth, harvest and post harvest aspects of these important plants Insect-pests and diseases, irrigation, nutrition and rootstocks are also addressed * Provides practical tips for post harvest management * Includes all aspects of citrus fruit biology, technology and quality evaluation * Discusses biotechnological applications and potential fresh citrus fruit quality improvement * Evaluates medicinal and therapeutic applications and recent clinical findings * Exhaustive glossary included

407 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The reactions responsible for the biosynthesis and interconversion of the polyamines and their precursor putrescine are described and the means by which polyamine content can be varied in response to exogenous stimuli are discussed.
Abstract: Polyamines are ubiquitous organic cations of low molecular weight. The content of these amines is closely regulated by the cell according to the state of growth. The reactions responsible for the biosynthesis and interconversion of the polyamines and their precursor putrescine are described and the means by which polyamine content can be varied in response to exogenous stimuli are discussed. The role of polyamines in the cell cycle, cell division, tissue growth, and differentiation is considered. Recent studies using highly specific inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis such as alpha-difluoromethylornithine to prevent accumulation of polyamines have indicated that the synthesis of polyamines is intimately associated with these processes. Such inhibitors have great potential for investigation of the cellular role of polyamines.

1,548 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: No specific mechanism has been firmly established for the action of the polyamines in vivo, however, it is clear that these compounds are physiologically important, and further work is necessary to establish the mechanism of their action.
Abstract: As is evident from the above summary of the recent literature, plus many other papers not cited here, there is an extensive literature indicating the physiological significance of these amines. The most important studies can be summarized as follows. (a) Polyamines and their biosynthetic enzymes are ubiquitous. (b) Microbiological mutants have been described in which there is a definite requirement of polyamines for growth. (c) The concentration of polyamines and their biosynthesis enzymes increase when the growth rate increases. These increases usually precede or are simultaneous with increases in RNA, DNA, and protein levels. (d) Ornithine decarboxylase has a remarkably fast turnover rate in animal cells, and the level of this enzyme rapidly changes after a variety of growth stimuli. (e) Polyamines have a high affinity for nucleic acids and stabilize their secondary structure. They are found associated with DNA in bacteriophages and have a variety of stimulatory effects on DNA and RNA biosynthesis in vitro. (f) Polyamines stimulate protein synthesis in vivo and in vitro. (g) Polyamines protect spheroplasts and halophilic organisms for lysis, indicating their ability to stabilize membranes. Despite these observations, no specific mechanism has been firmly established for the action of the polyamines in vivo. It is clear that these compounds are physiologically important, however, and further work is necessary to establish the mechanism of their action.

1,123 citations