Tokyo University of Science researchers identify molecular mechanism where anti aging polyamines potentially stimulate aggressive cancer growth

Tokyo University of Science researchers discover that polyamines can promote cancer growth via the eIF5A2 protein while supporting healthy aging via eIF5A1.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 2, 2026, 10:35 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from ScienceDaily

The Dual Role of Polyamines in Human Cells

Polyamines are naturally occurring molecules essential for basic biological functions, including cell growth and specialization. Recently, compounds such as spermidine have gained popularity as geroprotectors because they stimulate autophagy, a vital cellular recycling process. However, a significant scientific contradiction has persisted as clinical observations consistently show high polyamine levels in aggressive cancers. New research from Japan now clarifies how these molecules can simultaneously promote longevity in healthy cells and turbocharge growth in malignant ones.

Proteomic Analysis of Metabolic Shifts

A research team led by Associate Professor Kyohei Higashi utilized advanced molecular and proteomic techniques to examine over 6,700 proteins in human cancer cell lines. The study revealed that in a cancerous environment, polyamines primarily boost aerobic glycolysis, a process that rapidly generates energy for tumor cells. This metabolic shift differs significantly from the mitochondrial respiration improvements seen in healthy aging. The findings suggest that the impact of polyamines is heavily dependent on the specific biological context of the tissue.

Contrasting Initiation Factors eIF5A1 and eIF5A2

The study identified two nearly identical proteins, eIF5A1 and eIF5A2, as the key mediators of this dual behavior. In healthy tissues, polyamines activate eIF5A1 to support mitochondria and cellular maintenance. Conversely, in cancer tissues, polyamines promote the synthesis of eIF5A2. This latter protein controls gene expression at the translational level to facilitate the rapid proliferation of cancer cells. Despite sharing 84 percent of their amino acid sequence, these two proteins drive entirely different cellular outcomes.