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Characterization of antizyme gene family expression during amphibian embryogenesis

Polyamines are a necessary component for cell proliferation. During Xenopus embryogenesis, polyamine levels drop at the mid‐blastula transition because of a decline in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. Antizyme (AZ) is a cellular protein that regulates polyamine levels in the cell through the inhibition of ODC activity and polyamine uptake. The role of AZ in regulating polyamine levels during amphibian development is unknown. Two family members of AZ, AZ1 and AZ2, are found in Xenopus. Determination of expression levels of the AZ family during embryogenesis is underway using quantitative real‐time PCR. Real‐time PCR allows for the quantization of the reaction during the amplification cycles. With the results of the real‐time PCR, it will be possible to determine the relative expression of the AZ gene family when compared to the expression of a known endogenous gene such as ODC. Work is in progress to determine how AZ1 expression regulates normal development. Known targets for AZ‐mediated degradation in mammalian systems include both ODC and cyclin D1. The target(s) of AZ in Xenopus have not been identified to date.