ABSTRACT
The polyamines — putrescine, spermidine, and spermine — are ubiquitious, low molecular weight polycations which play important roles in a variety of cellular processes, especially those associated with growth, differentiation, and neoplasia. The current understanding of polyamine biochemistry, physiology, and function has been extensively reviewed; 1-4 however, the exact in vivo functions of the polyamines and their cellular physiology are not yet well understood. This chapter will briefly outline our current knowledge of the role of polyamines in cell and tissue growth, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract.
