PathwayStep2515 PathwayStep2516 PathwayStep2517 PathwayStep2518 PathwayStep2519 PathwayStep2535 PathwayStep2527 Methionine salvage pathway Agmatine biosynthesis Interconversion of polyamines Metabolism of polyamines Authored: Gopinathrao, G, 2008-05-21 17:26:32 GENE ONTOLOGYGO:0006595 Polyamines is a family of molecules (i.e. putrescine, spermine, spermidine) derived from ornithine according to a decarboxylation/condensative process. More recently, it has been demonstrated that arginine can be metabolised according to the same pathway leading to agmatine formation. Polyamines are essential for the growth, the maintenance and the function of normal cells. The complexity of their metabolism and the fact that polyamines homeostasis is tightly regulated support the idea that polyamines are essential to cell survival. Multiple abnormalities in the control of polyamines metabolism might be implicated in several pathological processes (Moinard et al., 2005). Legend for the following figure: Pubmed11564948 Pubmed12686127 Pubmed15784477 Reactome Database ID Release 43351202 Reactome, http://www.reactome.org ReactomeREACT_14820 Reviewed: D'Eustachio, P, 2008-06-12 14:43:38 ornithine => putrescine + CO2 dc-Adenosyl methionine + Spermidine => Spermine + 5'-methylthioadenosine Putrescine + dc-Adenosyl methionine => Spermidine + 5'-methylthioadenosine S-Adenosyl methionine <=> Decarboxylated-Adenosyl methionine + CO2