Editing Ornithine decarboxylase (section)

== Function ==

The ornithine decarboxylation reaction catalyzed by ornithine decarboxylase is the first and [[committed step]] in the synthesis of [[polyamine]]s, particularly [[putrescine]], [[spermidine]] and [[spermine]].  Polyamines are important for stabilizing [[DNA]] structure, the DNA [[DNA repair#Double-strand breaks|double strand-break repair]] pathway and as [[antioxidant]]s. Therefore, ornithine decarboxylase is an essential enzyme for cell growth, producing the polyamines necessary to stabilize newly synthesized DNA. Lack of ODC causes cell [[apoptosis]] in embryonic mice, induced by DNA damage.<ref name="pmid11533243">{{cite journal | vauthors = Pendeville H, Carpino N, Marine JC, Takahashi Y, Muller M, Martial JA, Cleveland JL | title = The ornithine decarboxylase gene is essential for cell survival during early murine development | journal = Molecular and Cellular Biology | volume = 21 | issue = 19 | pages = 6549–6558 | date = October 2001 | pmid = 11533243 | pmc = 99801 | doi = 10.1128/MCB.21.19.6549-6558.2001 }}</ref>