[Novel metabolically stable functionally-active mimetic of spermidine].

Earlier unknown 1,8-diamino-3-methyl-4-azaoctane (gamma-MeSpd) was synthesized. The analogue was not a substrate of ether spermine/spermidine N1-acetyltransferase, or spermine synthase, but was capable to support the growth of DU145 cells with depleted polyamine pool. Such a combination of y-MeSpd properties discloses novel opportunities to study cellular functions of catabolically unstable and easily interconvertible spermine and spermidine.