Spermine

Spermine has been used:

• in the buffer, to swap the divalent cations in the MgSO₄ protocol to stabilize the integrity of the chromosomes
• in the preparation of modified mica surfaces from freshly cleaved mica surfaces
• to study its effects on survival in mice with sepsis and to estimate the role of spermine in lethal systemic inflammatory diseases

Mixed NMDA glutamate receptor agonist/antagonist at the polyamine site. Neuroprotective effects have been observed at high concentrations (1 mM), while neurotoxicity is observed at lower concentrations. It enhances agonist effectiveness at the strychnine-insensitive glycine site. Plays a role in cellular proliferation and differentiation; inhibits neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS).

Spermine together with putrescine and spermidine compose a family of polyamines (polycations) that are required for the growth and survival of the vast majority of living cells. Polyamines interact with negatively charged molecules such as proteoglycans, glycated proteins and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Biogenic polyamines are found to modulate protein synthesis at different levels. This effect may be explained by the ability of polyamines to bind and influence the secondary structure of tRNA, mRNA, and rRNA. Spermine also helps stabilize nucleic acid helical structure and the conformation of glycated proteins such as the histones. Spermine and spermidine are components of various nucleic acid transfection protocols.

Mixed NMDA glutamate receptor agonist/antagonist at the polyamine site. Neuroprotective effects have been observed at high concentrations (1 mM), while neurotoxicity is observed at lower concentrations. It enhances agonist effectiveness at the strychnine-insensitive glycine site. Plays a role in cellular proliferation and differentiation; inhibits neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS).