Spermidine
Encyclopedia
Spermidine is a polyamine
Polyamine
A polyamine is an organic compound having two or more primary amino groups .This class of compounds includes several synthetic substances that are important feedstocks for the chemical industry, such as ethylene diamine , 1,3-diaminopropane , and hexamethylenediamine...

 involved in cellular metabolism. Its known actions include:
  1. Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, nNOS
  2. Assisting the in vitro process of transcribing RNA via stimulation of T4 polynucleotide kinase and T7 RNA polymerase
    T7 RNA polymerase
    T7 RNA Polymerase is an RNA polymerase from the T7 bacteriophage that catalyzes the formation of RNA in the 5'→ 3' direction.- Activity :T7 polymerase is extremely promoter-specific and only transcribes DNA downstream of a T7 promoter. The T7 polymerase also requires a DNA template and Mg2+ ion as...

     activity; it binds to and precipitates DNA and is utilized in purifying DNA-binding proteins
  3. Regulation and promotion of plant growth - as a polyamine plant growth regulator it is also a plant hormone
    Plant hormone
    Plant hormones are chemicals that regulate plant growth, which, in the UK, are termed 'plant growth substances'. Plant hormones are signal molecules produced within the plant, and occur in extremely low concentrations. Hormones regulate cellular processes in targeted cells locally and, when moved...

    -promoting somatic embryogenesis.

Spermidine has also been found to reduce the amount of aging in yeast, flies, worms, and human immune cells by inducing autophagy
Autophagy
In cell biology, autophagy, or autophagocytosis, is a catabolic process involving the degradation of a cell's own components through the lysosomal machinery. It is a tightly regulated process that plays a normal part in cell growth, development, and homeostasis, helping to maintain a balance...

.

Sources

  • Semen
  • Grapefruit
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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