spermine

[ spur-meen, -min ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a polyamine, H 2 N(CH 2 ) 3 NH(CH 2 ) 4 NH(CH 2 ) 3 NH 2 , formed from spermidine and occurring in all cells, especially prevalent in semen, sputum, pancreatic tissue, and certain yeasts.

spermine

/ -mɪn; ˈspɜːmiːn /

noun

1. a white or colourless basic water-soluble amine that is found in semen, sputum, and animal tissues; diaminopropyltetramethylenediamine. Formula: C 10 H 26 N 4

Word History and Origins

Origin of spermine¹

First recorded in 1890–95; sperm- + -ine ²

Example Sentences

Part of this practice stems from the long-held myth that spermine — an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent found in sperm and cells in the human body — is good for the skin.

From Salon

The study, however, found that several metabolites proven to be vital to human health were found either exclusively or in greater amounts of beef, including creatine, spermine, anserine, cysteamine, glucosamine, squalene, and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA, researchers said.

From Fox News

Putrescine is a precursor molecule that is needed to make the polyamines spermidine and spermine, which activate a quality-control process called autophagy in which cell components are degraded and recycled5; therefore, putrescine is also crucial for protecting cells against stress.

From Nature

Although the production of cadaverine by Spe1 was accompanied by increased production of putrescine, the levels of spermidine and spermine were not affected, suggesting that lysine uptake and cadaverine production do not affect autophagy.

From Nature

Taurine, histamine and spermine modulate the activity of inflammasome component NLRP6.

From Nature