Effects of polyamines on the proliferation of mammalian cells in tissue culture

Spermine, spermidine, putrescine and agmatine were examined for their cytotoxicity to mammalian cells in tissue culture. Spermine exhibited the highest cytotoxicity among them. It was followed by spermidine. Putrescine and agmatine showed little toxicity but rather acceleration of cell proliferation in some concentrations. Among 16 kinds of rat cells and strains and a mouse cell strain examined, liver cells, fibroblasts, and cells serially grown in a protein-free synthetic medium were sensitive to spermine in the order described. Normal liver cells were more sensitive than hepatoma cells, and normal fibroblasts were also more sensitive than sarcoma cells. Bovine serum albumin fraction markedly accelerated the cytotoxicity of spermine.