Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 17 February 2021 doi:10.20944/preprints202102.0362.v1 Alzheimer’s disease as a chronic maladaptive polyamine stress response Review Baruh Polis1, David Karasik2,3, Abraham O. Samson1 1 Drug Discovery Laboratory, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, 1311502, Israel. 2 Hebrew SeniorLife, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Boston, MA, 02131, USA 3 Musculoskeletal Genetics Laboratory, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, 1311502, Israel. Correspondence to Baruh Polis
[email protected] Keywords: polyamines; arginase; senescence; aging; neurodegeneration. 1 © 2021 by the author(s). Distributed under a Creative Commons CC BY license. Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 17 February 2021 doi:10.20944/preprints202102.0362.v1 Abstract Polyamines are nitrogen-rich polycationic ubiquitous bioactive molecules with diverse evolutionary-conserved functions. Their activity interferes with numerous genes' expression resulting in cell proliferation and signaling modulation. The intracellular levels of polyamines are precisely controlled by evolutionary-conserved machinery. Their transient synthesis is induced by heat stress, radiation, and other traumatic stimuli in a process termed the polyamine stress response (PSR). Notably, polyamine levels decline gradually with age; and external supplementation improves lifespan in model organisms. This corresponds to cytoprotective and reactive oxygen species scavenging properties of polyamines. Paradoxically, age-associated neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by an upsurge in polyamine levels, indicating polyamine pleiotropic, adaptive, and pathogenic roles. Specifically, arginase overactivation and arginine brain deprivation have been shown to play an important role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis. Here, we assert that a universal short-term PSR associated with acute stimuli is beneficial for survival.