Spermidine/Spermine-N1-Acetyltransferase: A Key Metabolic Regulator
March 2008
in “
AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism
”
TLDR SSAT is a key enzyme affecting cell growth and metabolism, with potential but risky use in disease treatment.
The document described spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) as a crucial enzyme in polyamine metabolism, influencing cellular growth and homeostasis. SSAT was highly regulated and inducible, with its activity linked to conditions like cancer, obesity, and stress response. It played a role in therapeutic strategies, particularly in cancer treatment, by mediating polyamine depletion. Transgenic studies showed SSAT's impact on physiological processes, including hair loss and altered lipid metabolism. The enzyme's regulation involved transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms, with polyamines enhancing its expression and stability. Despite challenges in targeting polyamine metabolism for cancer therapy, SSAT's complex role suggested potential therapeutic applications, necessitating further research to understand its broader impact on cellular processes.