Overproduction of cardiac S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase in transgenic mice.

ABSTRACT: The present study was designed to provide a better understanding of the role played by AdoMetDC (S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase), the key rate-controlling enzyme in the synthesis of spermidine and spermine, in controlling polyamine levels and the importance of polyamines in cardiac physiology. The alphaMHC (alpha-myosin heavy chain) promoter was used to generate transgenic mice with cardiac-specific expression of AdoMetDC. A founder line (alphaMHC/AdoMetDC) was established with a >100-fold increase in AdoMetDC activity in the heart. Transgene expression was maximal by 1 week of age and remained constant into adulthood. However, the changes in polyamine levels were most pronounced during the first week of age, with a 2-fold decrease in putrescine and spermidine and a 2-fold increase in

SUBMITTER: Nisenberg O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1383688 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature