Abstract
Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is the first and rate-limiting enzyme involved in the biosynthetic pathway of polyamines. This review mainly surveys the literatures about the change in the levels of ODC in organs of mammals in response to a wide variety of drugs and chemicals, with respect to its toxicological implications. Emphasis is especially placed on the induction of ODC by drug-metabolizing enzyme inducers, hepatotoxins, chemical carcinogens, tumor promoters and metal ions, and the toxicological significance of this induction of ODC is discussed. In addition, the significance of the inhibitory effects of some drugs and chemicals on the tumor promoter-mediated inductions of ODC is discussed. This review also described briefly the role of polyamines in tissue growth and the reactions responsible for the biosynthesis and interconversion of the polyamines. Besides, the purification of ODC, the recent advances in the studies of ODC genes, mRNA and cDNA are briefly described. The regulation of ODC by its antizyme, and specific inhibitors of ODC such as α-difluoromethylornithine and their potentials for investigation of the cellular role of polyamines are summarized. The available evidence suggests that the changes in ODC activity in organs of mammals owing to the administrations of drugs and chemicals could be a useful pharmacological and toxicological marker.
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