The Involvement of Polyamines Catabolism in the Crosstalk between Neurons and Astrocytes in Neurodegeneration

Abstract

In mammalian cells, the content of polyamines is tightly regulated. Polyamines, including spermine, spermidine and putrescine, are involved in many cellular processes. Spermine oxidase specifically oxidizes spermine, and its deregulated activity has been reported to be linked to brain pathologies involving neuron damage. Spermine is a neuromodulator of a number of ionotropic glutamate receptors and types of ion channels. In this respect, the Dach-SMOX mouse model overexpressing spermine oxidase in the neocortex neurons was revealed to be a model of chronic oxidative stress, excitotoxicity and neuronal damage. Reactive astrocytosis, chronic oxidative and excitotoxic stress, neuron loss and the susceptibility to seizure in the Dach-SMOX are discussed here. This genetic model would help researchers understand the linkage between polyamine dysregulation and neurodegeneration and unveil the roles of polyamines in the crosstalk between astrocytes and neurons in neuroprotection or neurodegeneration.

A Review of Research on the Association between Neuron–Astrocyte Signaling Processes and Depressive Symptoms

“…Recent research, however, has revealed that astrocytes also have significant effects on the neuronal microenvironment through mechanisms like glucose metabolism control, neurotransmitter absorption, synaptic growth and maturation, and the BBB. Notably, gliotransmission—the process by which astrocytes alter neuronal and synaptic function by releasing neuroactive chemicals like glutamate, ATP, and GABA [ 95 ]—was discovered to be the mechanism by which astrocytes act.…”

Activation of M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors by proline-rich oligopeptide 7a (<EDGPIPP) from Bothrops jararaca snake venom rescues oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells

“…Products of L-arginine metabolism represent a wide range of biologically active intermediates that participate in several metabolic and signaling pathways [ 26 - 29 ]. L-arginine metabolism products like as agmatine and polyamines (spermine, spermidine, and putrescine) are implicated in neuroprotection pathways [ 26 , 27 , 30 ]. The PRO-10c (<ENWPHPQIPP) enhances the generation of L-arginine by regulating AsS activity and expression [ 21 , 31 ] and it displays neuroprotective action in neuronal SH-SY5Y cells against H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative damage [ 10 ].…”

Antizyme Inhibitor 2-Deficient Mice Exhibit Altered Brain Polyamine Levels and Reduced Locomotor Activity

“…In the brain, apart from their influence on nucleic acids metabolism, some of their actions on the neurons are known to be related to the regulation of different cation channels such as the N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA)-type and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) glutamate receptors [2,3], the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor [4], inward rectifier K + channels [5], or acid sensing ion channels [6]. Alterations in the neural polyamine system are involved in several brain pathological conditions such as ischemic injury, Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors, and various types of mental disorders [7][8][9][10][11].…”