Glia and glial polyamines. Role in brain function in health and disease

Abstract

The roles of glia and polyamines (PA) in brain function and dysfunction are highlighted in this review. We emphasize that PA accumulation preferentially in glia, but not in neurons, is clearly evolutionarily determined; it is found throughout the brain, retina, peripheral nervous system, and in glial-neuronal co-cultures of multiple species, including man. This phenomenon raises key questions: (i) What are the mechanisms that underlie such uneven distribution, accumulation and release from glia? (ii) What are the consequences of PA fluxes within the brain on neuronal function? (iii) What are the roles of PAs in brain disorders and diseases? This review includes suggestions on the roles of PAs, such as putrescine (PT), spermidine (SPD), spermine (SPM) and their derivatives as novel glio-transmitters in brain since PA affect many neuronal and glial receptors, channels and transporters. Polyamines hitherto have been neglected, although it is evident that these molecules are key elements for normal brain function and their metabolic disorders, apparently, cause the development of many pathological syndromes and diseases. The study of endogenous PA allows one to put forward the basic principles of scientific research on glio-neuronal interactions and clinical therapies, which are based on the exclusivity of glial cells in terms of accumulation of PA and PA-dependent functions.