Coordinate changes of polyamine metabolism regulatory proteins during the cell cycle of normal human dermal fibroblasts

In human dermal fibroblasts, brought to quiescence (G(0)) by serum starvati on, the S phase peaked 24 h and G(2)/M phases 36 h after serum re-addition, Under the same conditions, ornithine decarboxylase mRNA peaked at 12 h, de creased markedly in S phase and remained low until 48 h, Conversely, ornith ine decarboxylase antizyme transcript dropped to its lowest level at 12 h, while reaching its highest values between 24 and 48 h. Ornithine decarboxyl ase activity followed essentially the pattern of its mRNA, but relative cha nges were much greater, S-Adenosylmethionine decarboxylase transcript and e nzyme activity also peaked at around 12 h, decreasing thereafter, Spermidin e/spermine N-1-acetyltransferase mRNA and activity reached the highest valu es at 36-48 h, Putrescine concentration increased up to 18 h and fell drama tically in the S phase, remaining low thereafter. Both spermidine and sperm ine reached peaks at 18 h and decreased in the S phase, but not nearly as m uch as putrescine, We discuss hom this comprehensive study may help Co unde rstand the involvement of polyamines in the control of cell proliferation, (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.