METABOLISM AND ROLE OF POLYAMINES IN PLAN T DEVELOPMENT

Aliphatic polyamines, putrescine, spermidine and spermine are ubiquito us in all living organisms. They occur in the free form as cations, bu t are often conjugated to small molecule like phenolics acids and also to various macromolecules. Polyamines and their biosynthetic enzymes may play an important role in many aspects of plants development inclu ding growth, differentiation, senescence and response to differents ty pes of stress. Recent work suggest, but has not proven, a regulatory r ole of polyamines in these processes. Putrescine accumulation in respo nse to stress, suggests a protective role. By contrast, increased sper midine and spermine synthesis appears essential for DNA replication an d cell division.