Apigenin Inhibits Human SW620 Cell Growth by Targeting Polyamine Catabolism

Figure 2

Potential contributions of polyamine catabolism to cell damage. Spermine is catabolized by spermine oxidase (SMO) to produce spermidine, 3-aminopropanal (3-AP), and H₂O₂. Spermine and spermidine can both be catabolized by spermidine/spermine N¹-acetyltransferase (SSAT) to produce N¹-acetylspermine and N¹-acetylspermidine, which can then serve as substrates for N¹-acetylpolyamine oxidase (APAO). This produces either spermidine or putrescine, respectively, along with 3-acetoaminopropanal (3-AAP) and H₂O₂. These reactive aldehydes and H₂O₂ are capable of damaging cellular machinery, lipids, and DNA, leading to cellular dysfunction or apoptosis.