[The catabolism of polyamines].

The important role of the natural polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine in the normal and pathological cell growth is the main reason for the active investigation of their metabolism. The essential catabolic reactions of polyamine interconversion and terminal oxidation as well as data for the catabolic enzymes and the regulatory mechanisms of their activities are reviewed. The importance of catabolic reactions for the maintenance of the optimal polyamine concentrations during the cell growth and differentiation is also presented. The role of the essential catabolic enzymes spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, polyamine oxidase and diamine oxidase in normal and pathological cell growth is discussed.