Pattern of polyamines and related monoacetyl derivatives in chick embryo retina during development.

G Taibi, M R Schiavo, G Calvaruso, G Tesoriere

Index: Int. J. Dev. Neurosci. 12(5) , 423-9, (1994)

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Abstract

Polyamines and related monoacetyl derivatives were studied in chick embryo retina during development (6th-19th day). Putrescine, which is high in the first phase of retinogenesis, is necessary to sustain both tissue proliferation and via N-acetylputrescine, gamma-aminobutyric acid synthesis. A later increase in spermidine and particularly spermine may play a role in the last phase of development when the retina reaches maturation. The presence of N1-acetylspermidine already at the 8th day indicates that in chick embryo retina, putrescine synthesis can depend on two separate pathways. The first involves ornithine decarboxylase activity; the second, spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase and probably polyamine oxidase that converts spermidine to putrescine via N1-acetylspermidine.