SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS OF POLYAMINES - ACTIN ASSEMBLY, CYTOKINESIS INDUCTION, TARGETS FOR THALIDOMIDE ACTIVITY, NITROGEN-SOURCES FOR MARINE ECOSYSTEMS

In this review, four specific actions of polyamines at the molecular l evel are described: 1. Induction of various supramolecular forms of ac tin, a protein involved in egg-cell division as well as in many motile events. 2. Stimulation of cytokinesis and implication in the formatio n of the cleavage organelle and the furrow walls. 3. Substrates of the acylation reaction displayed by thalidomide, a well-known potent tera togen. 4. Biological compounds taking part in the fixation, transfer a nd excretion of nitrogen in marine ecosystems. Each of these four spec ific actions of polyamines plays a function in normal of abnormal grow th processes occurring in terrestrial or marine organisms.