Overexpression of Spermidine/Spermine N1-Acetyltransferase Under the Control of Mouse Metallothionein I Promoter in Transgenic Mice: Evidence for a Striking Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Transgene Expression by a Polyamine Analogue

    February 1999 in “ Biochemical Journal ”
    Suvikki Suppola, Marko Pietilä, Jyrki Parkkinen, Veli‐Pekka Korhonen, Leena Alhonen, Maria Halmekytö, Carl W. Porter, Juhani Jänne
    The study involved generating a transgenic mouse line overexpressing the SSAT gene under a mouse metallothionein I promoter, leading to significant changes in tissue polyamine pools and delayed permanent hair loss compared to previous models. The liver was notably affected, with altered polyamine levels. Despite high SSAT mRNA levels, enzyme activity was only moderately increased unless induced by ZnSO4 or the polyamine analogue DENSPM, which caused a dramatic increase in enzyme activity and depletion of liver polyamines, resulting in high mortality and liver damage. The findings suggested that SSAT overexpression made the mice highly sensitive to polyamine analogues, indicating a post-transcriptional regulation mechanism.
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