Abstract
Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC, EC 4.1.1.17) which decarboxylates ornithine to form putrescine, is the key enzyme in mammalian polyamine biosynthesis. ODC is characterized by its inducibility and rapid turnover rate (half life∼15 min). ODC activity in quiescent cells is extremely low and is increased within a few hours in response to many different stimuli, including hormones, growth factors, and tumor promoters. In general the induction of ODC activity and subsequent accumulation of putrescine constitute a part of a cascade of biochemical events that accompany cell proliferation and differentiation (1, 2).

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