Regulatory interrelations between GABA and polyamines. I. Brain GABA levels and polyamine metabolism

Elevation of brain GABA levels by GABA-T inhibition is accompanied by a decrease ofS-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity. This is followed by an increase of ornithine decarboxylase activity and a severalfold increase of brain putrescine levels. Spermidine and spermine levels are not significantly affected under these conditions. These unexpected findings support a regulatory interaction between GABA and polyamine metabolism.     

Biphasic induction of ornithine decarboxylase and putrescine levels in growing HTC cells.

A biphasic induction of ornithine decarboxylase with concomitant increase of intracellular putrescine was seen in growing rat hepatoma cells during each generation period. In non-growing HTC cells no coordinate accumulation of intracellular putrescine followed the unique induction of DDC by dilution into fresh serum-deprived medium. The data together suggest that the biphasic increases of ODC activity occur just before and after DNA synthesis and that a growing HTC cell has a finely regulated cycle of ODC activity. Finally, ODC activity may not always correlate with the intracellular putrescine levels.     

Inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase of HeLa cells by diamines and polyamines. Effect on cell proliferation

1. Ornithine decarboxylase activity is stimulated in high-density HeLa-cell cultures by dilution of or replacement of spent culture medium with fresh medium containing 10% (v/v) horse serum. 2. After stimulation, ornithine decarboxylase activity reaches a peak at 4–6h, then rapidly declines to the low enzyme activity characteristic of quiescent cultures, where it remains during the remainder of the cell cycle. 3. The stimulation of ornithine decarboxylase is eliminated by the addition of 0.5μm-spermine or -spermidine or 10μm-putrescine to the HeLa-cell cultures at the time of re-feeding with fresh medium. Much higher concentrations (1mm) of the non-physiological diamines, 1,3-diamino-propane or 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane, are required to eliminate the stimulation of ornithine decarboxylase in re-fed HeLa-cell cultures. 4. A heat-labile, non-diffusible inhibitor, comparable with the inhibitory protein ornithine decarboxylase antizyme, is induced in HeLa cells by the addition of exogenous diamines or polyamines. 5. Intracellular putrescine is eliminated, intracellular spermidine and spermine are severely decreased and proliferation of HeLa cells is inhibited when cultures are maintained for 48h in the presence of the non-physiological inducer of ornithine decarboxylase antizyme, 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane. Exogenous putrescine, a physiological inducer of the antizyme, does not decrease intracellular polyamines or interfere with proliferation of HeLa cells.     

Occurrence of ornithine decarboxylase and polyamines in cartilage.

The activity of ornithine decarboxylase was investigated in cartilage from chick embryos, rabbits, rats and human foetuses. The enzyme activity in these cartilages was of the same order as the detected in other body tissues. Ornithine decarboxylase activity in chick-embryo cartilage and liver was the same when compared on the basis of total soluble tissue protein. The cartilage enzyme exhibited a pH optimum of 6.5 and a Km for ornithine of 0.16mM. Ornithine decarboxylase activity in chick-embryo pelvic leaflets was maintained at the value in vivo for up to 22h when the isolated tissue was incubated in a modified Waymouth's medium (MB 752/1) at 37 degrees C. After addition of cycloheximide to the incubation medium, ornithine decarboxylase activity declined, with a half-life of 40 min. The concentrations of the polyamines spermidine and spermine in chick-embryo pelvic cartilage and rabbit costal cartilage were of the same order as the concentrations detected in other tissues.     

Effect of elevated levels of ornithine decarboxylase on cell cycle progression in skin.

By crossing TG.AC v-Ha-ras and K6/ODC transgenic mice, we found previously that an activated ras and follicular ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) overexpression cooperate to generate spontaneous tumors in the skin. Cellular proliferation was dramatically increased in the K6/ODC transgenic skin, as evidenced by elevated proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki67 expression compared with nontransgenic littermates. Keratinocytes isolated from transgenic skin also displayed increased clonal growth. Paradoxically, expression of the growth inhibition-associated proteins p53, p21Waf1, p27Klp1, and Bax was increased with ODC overexpression in the skin. ODC overexpression did not affect cyclin D/cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4)-dependent phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein but stimulated cyclin E/Cdk2 and cyclin A/Cdk2-associated kinase activity, with minimal effect on the levels of these proteins. Thus, ODC/polyamine-induced activation of cyclin E/Cdk2 and cyclin A/Cdk2-associated kinase activity may cooperate with the ras induction of cyclin D/Cdk4/6-associated retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation to not only stimulate proliferation but ultimately contribute to tumor development.     

Regulation of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA translation by polyamines. Studies using a cell-free system and a cell line with an amplified ornithine decarboxylase gene

The translational control of ornithine decarboxylase (ODCase) by polyamines has been studied using a cellular as well as a cell-free system. A mutant L1210 cell line, in which ODCase represents 4-5% of all soluble protein synthesized, was isolated by stepwise selection for resistance to the ODCase inhibitor 2-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). The exceptionally high expression of ODCase in these cells was due to amplification of the ODCase gene. When the cells were grown in the absence of DFMO, dramatic increases in cellular putrescine and spermidine levels occurred. These increases were accompanied by a rapid decrease in ODCase synthesis. The change in ODCase synthesis was not associated with an alteration in the amount of ODCase mRNA, demonstrating a translational control in these cells. The effects of polyamines on ODCase mRNA translation were also studied in rabbit reticulocyte lysates using mRNA isolated from the DFMO-resistant cells. Low concentrations of spermidine stimulated synthesis of ODCase and that of total protein, when added to gel-filtered lysates. Notably, optimal stimulation of ODCase synthesis was achieved at a spermidine concentration lower than that required for an optimal rate of total protein synthesis. Higher concentrations of spermidine were inhibitory, and their effects of ODCase synthesis were stronger than on protein synthesis in general, resulting in a decrease in the fraction of protein synthesis accounted for by ODCase. The present results demonstrate that at least part of the feedback regulation of ODCase exerted by the polyamines is due to direct inhibition of ODCase mRNA translation.     

Effects of acetylated polyamines on ornithine decarboxylase in rat HTC cells

N-Monoacetylputrescine and N⁸-monoacetylspermidine, metabolites of the naturally occurring polyamines, activate the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). When added to cultures of hepatoma (HTC) cells growing in log phase, in concentrations of 5×10^?5M and 2.5×10^?7M respectively, these substances cause a 3 to 5-fold increase in the activity of ODC with a peak effect at one hour. This previously undescribed stimulating effect is in sharp contrast to the well established suppressing effects of nonacetylated polyamines on ODC activity.     

Inhibition of translation of mRNAs for ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase by polyamines

The effect of spermidine and spermine on the translation of the mRNAs for ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase was studied using a reticulocyte lysate system and specific antisera to precipitate these proteins. It was found that the synthesis of these key enzymes in the biosynthesis of polyamines was much more strongly inhibited by the addition of polyamines than was either total protein synthesis or the synthesis of albumin. Translation of the mRNA for S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase was maximal in a lysate which had been substantially freed from polyamines by gel filtration. Addition of 80 microM spermine had no significant effect on total protein synthesis and stimulated albumin synthesis but reduced the production of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase by 76%. Similarly, addition of 0.8 mM spermidine reduced the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase by 82% while albumin and total protein synthesis were similar to that found in the gel-filtered lysate. Translation of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA was greater in the gel-filtered lysate than in the control lysate but synthesis of ornithine decarboxylase was stimulated slightly by low concentrations of polyamines and was maximal at 0.2 mM spermidine or 20 microM spermine. Higher concentrations were strongly inhibitory with a 70% reduction occurring at 0.8 mM spermidine or 150 microM spermine. Further experiments in which both polyamines were added together confirmed that the synthesis of ornithine and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylases were much more sensitive to inhibition by polyamines than protein synthesis as a whole. These results indicate that an important part of the regulation of polyamine biosynthesis by polyamines is due to a direct inhibitory effect of the polyamines on the translation of mRNA for these biosynthetic enzymes.     

Regulatory mutations affecting ornithine decarboxylase activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We isolated several strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing mutations mapping at a single chromosomal gene (spe10); these strains are defective in the decarboxylation of L-ornithine to form putrescine and consequently do not synthesize spermidine and spermine. The growth of one of these mutants was completely eliminated in a polyamine-deficient medium; the growth rate was restored to normal if putrescine, spermidine, or spermine was added. spe10 is not linked to spe2 (adenosylmethionine decarboxylase) or spe3 (putrescine aminopropyltransferase [spermidine synthease]). spe 10 is probably a regulatory gene rather than the structural gene for ornithine decarboxylase, since we isolated two different mutations which bypassed spe10 mutants; these were spe4, an unliked recessive mutation, and spe40, a dominant mutation linked to spe10. Both spe4 and spe40 mutants exhibited a deficiency of spermidine aminopropyltransferase (spermine synthase), but not of putrescine aminopropyltransferase. This suggests that ornithine decarboxylase activity is negatively controlled by the presence of spermidine aminopropyltransferase.     

Regulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity by putrescine and spermidine in rat liver

The marked enhancement of the activity of ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17) in rat liver at 4 h following partial hepatectomy or the treatment with growth hormone could be almost completely prevented by intraperitoneal administration of putrescine. A single injection of putrescine to partially hepatectomized rats caused a remarkably rapid decline in the activity of liver ornithine decarboxylase with an apparent half-life of only 30 min, which is almost as rapid as the decay of the enzyme activity after the administration of inhibitors of protein synthesis. Under similar conditions putrescine did not have any inhibitory effect on the activity of adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.50) or tyrosine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.5). Spermidine given at the time of partial hepatectomy or 2 h later also markedly inhibited ornithine decarboxylase activity at 4 h after the operation and, in addition, also caused a slight inhibition of the activity of adenosylmethionine decarboxylase.     

The appearance of an ornithine decarboxylase inhibitory protein upon the addition of putrescine to cell cultures.

Quiescent, contact inhibited H-35 rat hepatoma cell cultures maintained in minimal essential medium contain a very low level of ornithine decarboxylase activity. However, 2 h after the addition of 10% fetal calf serum to the culture medium, the enzyme activity increases by approx. 100-fold. This increase can be completely inhibited by the simultaneous addition of 10(-2) M putrescine. The presence of putrescine elicits the appearance of an intracellular inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase. This inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase has a molecular weight of 26500, is sensitive to the action of chymotrypsin and is noncompetitive with respect to ornithine. The intracellular appearance of this inhibitor is sensitive to cycloheximide but is only partially inhibited by actinomycin D.     

Effects of putrescine on synthesis and degradation of ornithine decarboxylase in primary cultured hepatocytes

Changes in both synthesis rate and degradation rate of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) were pursued in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes during the process of ODC induction caused by asparagine and glucagon and also during the process of rapid ODC decay caused by putrescine. The synthesis rate of ODC was determined by [35S]methionine incorporation into the enzyme, which was separated afterwards by immunoprecipitation and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The degradation rate of ODC was determined by following the decay of prelabeled ODC. The enzyme induction caused by asparagine (10 mM) and glucagon (1 microM) was due both to an increase in the synthesis rate and to a decrease in the degradation rate. Addition of 10 mM putrescine caused a rapid decay of ODC activity, which was faster than ODC decay in the presence of cycloheximide. This rapid decay in ODC activity was accompanied by slightly slower decay in ODC protein, which was due both to partial suppression of ODC synthesis and to several fold acceleration of ODC degradation.     

Elevated levels of polyamines and trypanothione resulting from overexpression of the ornithine decarboxylase gene in arsenite-resistant Leishmania

The levels of trypanothione, a glutathione-spermidine conjugate, are increased in the protozoan parasite Leishmania selected for resistance to the heavy metal arsenite. The levels of putrescine and spermidine were increased in resistant mutants. This increase is mediated by overexpression of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis. Gene overexpression is generally mediated by gene amplification in Leishmania but, here, the mRNA and the enzymatic activity of ODC are increased without gene amplification. This RNA overexpression is stable when cells are grown in the absence of the drug and does not result from gene rearrangements or from an increased rate of RNA synthesis. Transient transfections suggest that mutations in the revertant cells contribute to these elevated levels of RNA. Stable transfection of the ODC gene increases the level of trypanothione, which can contribute to arsenite resistance. In addition to ODC overexpression, the gene for the ABC transporter PGPA is amplified in the mutants. The co-transfection of the ODC and PGPA genes confers resistance in a synergistic fashion in partial revertants, also suggesting that PGPA recognizes metals conjugated to trypanothione.     

Modulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity and ornithine decarboxylase-antizyme complex in rat heart by hormone and putrescine treatment

Ornithine decarboxylase was present in a cryptic, complexed form in an amount approximately equivalent to that of free ornithine decarboxylase activity in adult rat heart. Addition of isoproterenol (10 mg/kg) caused a notable rise in ornithine decarboxylase activity and a simultaneous decrease in the amount of the complexed enzyme. During the period of ornithine decarboxylase decay, when cardiac putrescine content had reached high values, the level of the complex increased above that of the control. Administration of putrescine (1.5 mmol/kg, twice) or dexamethasone (4 mg/kg) produced a decrease of heart ornithine decarboxylase activity, while it did not remarkably affect the level of complexed ornithine decarboxylase, therefore raising significantly the ratio of bound to total ornithine decarboxylase. Putrescine also elicited the appearance of free antizyme, concomitantly with the disappearance of free ornithine decarboxylase activity after 3-4 h of treatment. These results indicate that a significant amount of ornithine decarboxylase occurs in an inactive form in the heart under physiological conditions and that its absolute and relative levels may vary following stimuli which affect heart ornithine decarboxylase activity.     

Regulation of polyamine biosynthesis in tobacco. Effects of inhibitors and exogenous polyamines on arginine decarboxylase, ornithine decarboxylase, and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase

Treatment of tobacco liquid suspension cultures with methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) an inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, resulted in a dramatic overproduction of a 35-kDa peptide on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Malmberg, R.L., and McIndoo, J. (1983) Nature 305, 623-625). MGBG treatment also resulted in a 20-fold increase in the activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase. Purification of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase from MGBG-treated cultures revealed that the overproduced 35-kDa peptide and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase are identical. Precursor incorporation experiments using [3H] methionine and [35S]methionine revealed that MGBG does not induce any increased synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase but rather stabilizes the protein to proteolytic degradation. The half-life of the enzyme activity was increased when MGBG was present in the growth medium. In addition to stabilizing S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, MGBG also resulted in the rapid and specific loss of arginine decarboxylase activity with little effect ornithine decarboxylase. The kinetics of this effect suggest that arginine decarboxylase synthesis was rapidly inhibited by MGBG. Exogenously added polyamines had little effect on ornithine decarboxylase, whereas S-adenosylmethionine and arginine decarboxylase activities rapidly diminished with added spermidine or spermine. Finally, inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase was lethal to the cultures, whereas inhibition of arginine decarboxylase was only lethal during initiation of growth in suspension culture.     

Control of ornithine decarboxylase activity in stimulated human lymphocytes by putrescine and spermidine

Ornithine decarboxylase activity in extracts of phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated human lymphocytes is rapidly and extensively inhibited by additions of micromolar concentrations of putrescine or spermidine to the culture medium. This inhibition is not due to feedback inhibition of the enzyme by putrescine, spermidine or their metabolites. Inhibition is dependent on the continuation of protein synthesis, but does not require RNA synthesis. The effect of putrescine is abolished when its conversion into spermidine by the cells is prevented.