General description
Putrescine is an end product of fatty acid metabolism in
dead tissues. It is a volatile diamine with pungent odour.[1] It is
synthesized by the decarboxylation of ornithine in the presence of enzyme,
ornithine decarboxylase.[2] Molecular docking studies reveal the binding
of putrescine to human receptors called the trace amine-associated receptors
(TAAR6 and TAAR8), present in olfactory epithelium.[3]
Application
Putrescine dihydrochloride has been used as medium component
in F-12 + GlutaMax medium for mice ganglia culture,[4] retinal ganglion
cell culture[5] and in HCT116 colon carcinoma cells for ornithine
decarboxylase (ODC) assay.[2]
Biochem/physiol Actions
Binds to the polyamine modulatory site of the NMDA receptor
and potentiates NMDA-induced currents; precursor of spermidine.
Binds to the polyamine modulatory site of the NMDA receptor;
potentiates NMDA-induced currents.
Putrescine is regarded as a marker of stress in plants.
External supplementation of putrescine helps wheat plants to overcome drought
stress.[6] It is crucial for cell proliferation in animals and modulates
abscisic acid (ABA) levels during cold stress in Arabidopsis plants.[7] It
serves as an attractant for predators.[4]
