Relationships between polyamine, deoxyribonucleic acid and oestrogen receptor binding site concentrations in human breast tumours.

Concentrations of polyamines, DNA and oestrogen receptor (ER) binding sites have been estimated in 23 malignant and 2 benign breast tumours. Polyamine and DNA concentrations, expressed per unit wet weight of tissue, were significantly higher in ER-poor (less than 10 fmol/mg cytosol protein) than in ER-rich tumours. Spermidine/spermine ratios were similar in ER-poor and ER-rich tumours. There was a relationship between polyamine and DNA levels and when polyamine concentrations were expressed per unit weight of DNA those in ER-poor tumours did not differ from those in ER-rich tumours. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed.