Effect of diaminobutene and diaminopropane on diet-stimulated polyamine synthesis and cell proliferation in rat liver.

The effect of two putrescine analogs were studied on hepatic polyamine synthesis and cell proliferation, both of which were stimulated by food intake. Trans-1, 4-diamino-2-butene (diaminobutene), which is a potent competitive inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase [EC 4.1.1.17] (ODC), repressed the induction of ODC and effectively inhibited the accumulation of putrescine in rat liver which was induced by the feeding of dietary protein. Unexpectedly, diaminobutene did not suppress DNA synthesis and mitotic activity in rat liver, suggesting that it can mimic the role of putrescine in cell proliferation. 1,3-Diaminopropane effectively repressed the induction of ODC caused by food intake and also suppressed DNA synthesis and mitotic activity without affecting the accumulation of RNA or protein. The suppression of mitotic activity by 1,3-diaminopropane was reversed by a single injection of putrescine, spermidine, spermine, or diaminobutene. It was concluded that rapid accumulation of polyamines, especially putrescine, was a prerequisite for the later enhancement of DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in rat liver caused by food intake.