POLYAMINES IN MODULATING PROTEIN AGGREGATION

摘要

Polyamines are ubiquitous aliphatic polycations with multiple molecular and cellular functions. They were first indentified by Leeuwenhoek in 1678. Since then many investigations had been done to understand the physiological significance of these molecules. Being cationic at physiologic pH, they interact with various biomolecules including DNA, RNA, proteins, and help in many cellular functions. Apart from their vast number of physiological functions, they are also implicated in modulation of protein aggregation or amyloid formation. It is now important to combine and analyze all of the findings on polyamine-induced aggregation, come to a conclusion, and relate the phenomenon of this protein aggregation to the physiology of the cellular function. Through this review, we had tried to cover almost all the investigations that had been done to-date, to explore the roles of polyamines in aggregation of various proteins. We have also incorporated future research avenues that might be of interest to many cellular biologist and protein chemists.