Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) functions as a critical enzyme in maintaining the homeostasis of polyamines, including spermine, spermidine, and putrescine, in mammalian cells. SSAT is a catalytic enzyme that indirectly regulates cellular physiologies and pathways through interaction with endogenous and exogenous polyamines. Normally, SSAT exhibits only at a low cellular level, but upon tumorigenesis, the expression, protein level, and activities of SSAT are altered. The alterations induce cellular damages, including oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest, DNA dynamics, and proliferation by influencing cellular mechanisms and signaling pathways. The expression of SSAT has been reported in various studies to be altered in different cancers, and it has been correlated with tumor development and progression. Tumor grades and stages are associated with the expression levels of SSAT. SSAT can be utilized as a target for substrate binding, and excreted metabolites may be used as a novel cancer biomarker. There is also potential for SSAT to be developed as a therapeutic target. Polyamine analogs could increase SSAT expression and increase the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy to tumor cells. Drugs targeting polyamines and SSAT expression have the potential to be developed into new cancer treatments in the future.
Keywords: SSAT; cancers development; mechanisms; polyamines.