Polyamine depletion influences drug-induced chromosomal damage.

Polyamines have been implicated in the intracellular stabilization of DNA. Depletion of intracellular polyamines influences the cytotoxicity of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II. By means of the sister chromatid exchange assay, it was found that intracellular polyamine depletion can also alter the induction of chromosomal damage by these cytotoxic agents.