Transport and metabolism of polyamines in human lymphocytes

1. Polyamines are taken up by human peripheral lymphocytes in a concentration, time and pH dependent manner, with an energy-dependent transport system. 2. Each polyamine inhibits the uptake of the others, with the exception of putrescine. Spermine appears to have the highest affinity for the transporter/s. 3. Inhibition by ouabain, amiloride and vanadate suggests that the transport is dependent on Na+. 4. Polyamine content inside the cells increases by ca 6 and 3 times respectively during incubation with spermidine or spermine. 5. The incorporated polyamines are partially transformed into each other.