What is the function of putrescine?

Putrescine plays a very important role in the regulation of division, differentiation and maturation of cells as well as apoptosis. As the polycationic molecule it stabilizes the structure of DNA and participates in the functioning of cell membranes.

What functional groups are in putrescine?

Putrescine is a four-carbon alkane-alpha,omega-diamine. It is obtained by the breakdown of amino acids and is responsible for the foul odour of putrefying flesh. It has a role as a fundamental metabolite and an antioxidant. It is a conjugate base of a 1,4-butanediammonium.

How is putrescine formed?

Putrescine is formed by the decarboxylation of ornithine and arginine; cadaverine by the decarboxylation of lysine.

How is putrescine synthesized from arginine and agmatine?

Putrescine is synthesized biologically via two different pathways, both starting from arginine. In one pathway, arginine is converted into agmatine, with a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme arginine decarboxylase (ADC); then agmatine is transformed into N-carbamoylputrescine by agmatine imino hydroxylase (AIH).

How is N-carbamoylputrescine converted into putrescine?

Finally, N-carbamoylputrescine is converted into putrescine. In the second pathway, arginine is converted into ornithine and then ornithine is converted into putrescine by ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). The polyamines, of which putrescine is one of the simplest, appear to be growth factors necessary for cell division.

How is putrescine synthesized in a living cell?

Putrescine is synthesized in small quantities by healthy living cells by the action of ornithine decarboxylase . Putrescine is synthesized biologically via two different pathways, both starting from arginine.

What is the physiologic function of putrescine?

Putrescine is classified as a physiologic amine. Physiological functions of putrescine and other polyamines are related to their polycationic nature, which determines interactions with negatively charged molecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, phospholipids (Igarashi and Kashiwagi 2010 ).