Polyamines as Universal Bioregulators across kingdoms and their role in cellular longevity and death

Authors: STOLARSKA, EWELINA - Adam Mickiewicz University; PALUBAWA, EWELINA - Adam Mickiewicz University; GRABSTUNWICG, MAGDA - Adam Mickiewicz University; TANWAR KUMAR, UMESH - Adam Mickiewicz University; ARASIMOWICZ-JELONEK, MAGDALENA - Adam Mickiewicz University; PHANSTIELIV, OTTO - University Of Central Florida; Mattoo, Autar

Submitted to: Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/11/2023
Publication Date: 9/4/2023
Citation: Stolarska, E., Palubawa, E., Grabstunwicg, M., Tanwar Kumar, U., Arasimowicz-Jelonek, M., Phanstieliv, O., Mattoo, A.K. 2023. Polyamines as Universal Bioregulators across kingdoms and their role in cellular longevity and death. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352689.2023.2247886.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07352689.2023.2247886

Interpretive Summary: Nutrition promoting crops are needed to secure high quality, nonperishable vegetable and fruit crops for the growing population. Polyamines (PAs) are important molecules that enhance plant longevity. One of the polyamines called spermidine when used as a supplement has been shown to reduce age-related pathology and increase lifespan in a number of organisms, including humans. Likewise, applying PAs to plants prevents their senescence. This review aims to provide an integrated understanding of the regulation of PA metabolism and its effect(s) on cell homeostasis. It should be of interest to scientists including biologists, food developers and researchers in general.

Technical Abstract: Polyamines (PAs) are important molecules that determine cell longevity or death. Studies have shown that nutritional supplementation with spermidine can reduce age-related pathology and increase lifespan in a number of organisms, including humans. In addition, applying PAs to plants prevents their senescence. This review aims to provide an integrated understanding of the regulation of PA metabolism and its effect(s) on cell homeostasis. PA metabolism is universal for plants and animals. Research has shown that increased levels of PA synthesizing enzymes are associated with cell-proliferation, while activation of the PA catabolic pathway increases oxidative stress and leads to aging/senescence due to cellular damage. Intracellular PA levels are regulated at the transcriptional and translational levels of the PA metabolic genes. The cis-acting regulatory elements and transcription factors determine the tissue, developmental stage, and stress-specific expression of a gene. At the translational level, it is regulated by miRNAs by targeting mRNAs for cleavage or translational suppression. The byproducts of PA metabolism such as hypusine and acrolein are important for cell survival or death. PAs and their metabolic enzymes play several other important roles in plant and animal physiology via their effects on chromatin condensation, histone acetylation, histone deacetylation, transmethylation, and protein-protein interactions. This review focuses on the role(s) of PAs as the universal bioregulators in processes across kingdoms with specific reference to regulation of cellular longevity and death.