Polyamines, such as spermine, spermidine, and putrescine, are small, positively charged molecules which are involved in fundamental cellular functions such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. They are also linked to cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis in various cancers. Polyamines operate at different levels within the cell. At a fundamental level, they bind to negatively charged regions of nucleic acids, influencing chromatin structure and gene transcription. They also regulate the activity of various enzymes and transcription factors, impacting cell growth and differentiation processes. They also affect Oxphos and ATP production in mitochondria. Dysregulation of polyamine metabolism is associated with various medical conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory disorders. AkrivisBio’s Polyamine Assay is a simple, sensitive means of quantifying polyamine levels in a variety of biological materials with a sensitivity of below 0.1 µM.
