Method For Assaying The Activity Of Spermidine/Spermine N1-Acetyltransferase

Abstract

A method for assaying activity of the enzyme spermidine/spermine N 1 -acetyltransferase (SSAT) uses SSAT substrates by detecting their acetylated forms. SSAT substrates may include rimantadine and tocainide wherein their metabolism occurs in part by the action of the inducible enzyme SSAT to produce the acetylated metabolites N-acetylrimantadine and N-acetyltocainide respectively. SSAT activity may be correlated to pathologic conditions.

1 . A method for determining activity of spermine/spermidine N 1 -acetyltransferase (SSAT) in a mammal comprises the steps of:
 introducing rimantadine to the mammal;   collecting a biological sample from the mammal;   detecting an acetylated metabolite of the rimantadine in the biological sample;   correlating a presence of the acetylated metabolite of the rimantadine in the biological sample to SSAT activity in the mammal.   
     
     
         2 . Use of the method of  claim 1  as a diagnostic tool wherein SSAT activity in the mammal is correlated to a pathological condition. 
     
     
         3 . Use of the method of  claim 1  as a diagnostic tool wherein SSAT activity in the mammal is correlated to cancer. 
     
     
         4 . A method for determining activity of spermine/spermidine N 1 -acetyltransferase (SSAT) in a mammal comprises the steps of:
 obtaining a cell from the mammal and incubating the cell in a suitable cell culture;   
       introducing rimantadine to the cell culture;
 detecting a presence of an acetylated metabolite of the rimantadine in the cell culture; and 
 correlating the presence of the acetylated metabolite of the rimantadine in the cell culture to SSAT activity in the mammal. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the step of detecting a presence of an acetylated metabolite of the rimantadine in the cell culture includes:
 obtaining a sample from the cell culture after introducing the rimantadine to the cell culture; and 
 measuring an amount of an acetylated metabolite of the rimantadine in the sample. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the cell from the mammal is a hepatocyte. 
     
     
         7 . Use of the method of  claim 4  as a diagnostic tool wherein SSAT activity in the mammal is correlated to a pathological condition. 
     
     
         8 . Use of the method of  claim 4  as a diagnostic tool wherein SSAT activity in the mammal is correlated to cancer. 
     
     
         9 . A method for determining activity of spermine/spermidine N 1 -acetyltransferase (SSAT) in a mammal comprises the steps of:
 introducing tocainide to the mammal;   collecting a biological sample from the mammal;   detecting an acetylated metabolite of the tocainide in the biological sample;   correlating a presence of the acetylated metabolite of the tocainide in the biological sample to SSAT activity in the mammal.   
     
     
         10 . Use of the method of  claim 9  as a diagnostic tool wherein SSAT activity in the mammal is correlated to a pathological condition. 
     
     
         11 . Use of the method of  claim 9  as a diagnostic tool wherein SSAT activity in the mammal is correlated to cancer. 
     
     
         12 . A method for determining activity of spermine/spermidine N 1 -acetyltransferase (SSAT) in a mammal comprises the steps of:
 obtaining a cell from the mammal and incubating the cell in a suitable cell culture;   introducing tocainide to the cell culture;   detecting a presence of-an acetylated metabolite of the tocainide in the cell culture; and   correlating the presence of the acetylated metabolite of the tocainide in the cell culture to SSAT activity in the mammal.   
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the step of detecting a presence of an acetylated metabolite of the tocainide in the cell culture includes:
 obtaining a sample from the cell culture after introducing the tocainide to the cell culture; and 
 measuring an amount of an acetylated metabolite of the tocainide in the sample. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the cell from the mammal is a hepatocyte. 
     
     
         15 . Use of the method of  claim 12  as a diagnostic tool wherein SSAT activity in the mammal is correlated to a pathological condition. 
     
     
         16 . Use of the method of  claim 12  as a diagnostic tool wherein SSAT activity in the mammal is correlated to cancer.