Polyamine metabolism and its regulation

Data obtained in bacteria and mammals have revealed the existence of transcriptional, translational and/or post-translational mechanisms controlling polyamine metabolism. In plants, most of the genes encoding polyamine biosynthetic enzymes have recently been isolated and antibodies to some are available, These tools have been used to initiate the study of the regulatory mechanisms controlling cellular polyamine levels in plants. as weil as to attempt the alteration of polyamine metabolic fluxes in transgenic plants. The transgenic approach has increased our understanding of how polyamines might function and how this could be used for achieving beneficial biotechnological applications. The aim of this review is to cover both of these basic and applied aspects.