Abstract

The native polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine are small positively-charged molecules that can interact with negatively-charged macromolecules like DNA, RNA and proteins. These interactions aid in nucleic acid and protein conformational stability, thereby, making polyamines essential building blocks for cells. Polyamines are involved in various cellular functions including gene regulation, protein synthesis, and cell proliferation. Rapidly-proliferating cells, such as cancer cells, utilize high polyamine levels for cell growth. Targeting the polyamine addiction of cancers is a validated anti-cancer strategy. To achieve the maximal reduction of polyamine levels, polyamine blocking therapy (PBT) employs several compounds in combination. First, one can inhibit polyamine biosynthesis using difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). DFMO inhibits ornithine decarboxylase (ODC); a rate limiting enzyme required for the generation of putrescine. Unfortunately, inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis is often insufficient because cells escape DFMO pressure by upregulating polyamine import. To address this escape pathway, a polyamine transport inhibitor (PTI) is included with DFMO to reduce cell growth via PBT. There are two types of PTIs: polyamine-based and non-polyamine-based PTIs. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the field. In Chapter 2, we developed a novel polyamine-based PTI which is smaller and less toxic than the known PTIs and was equally potent when used in PBT. In Chapter 3, we identified the first non-polyamine-based, PTI (GW5074) that successfully reduced human cancer cell growth when dosed with DFMO. In Chapter 4, we discovered new DFMO adjunct agents which inhibit the far upstream element binding protein 1 (FUBP1). This type of PBT significantly reduced cancer cell growth and was directed at polyamine biosynthesis via a two-fold mechanism involving direct inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis (DFMO) and downregulation of upstream transcription factors like c-myc. In summary, we have described three categories of compounds that can be used as adjunctive agents for DFMO in anti-cancer therapies.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2021

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Phanstiel, Otto

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Medicine

Department

Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences

Degree Program

Biomedical Sciences

Identifier

CFE0009294; DP0026898

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0026898

Language

English

Release Date

6-15-2023

Length of Campus-only Access

1 year

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

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