“…More recently, the effects of spermine on mitochondrial Ca2+ transport have attracted considerable attention. However, although an early study by Akerman (1977) described an inhibition of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake by spermine, many subsequent studies reported a stimulatory effect of spermine on Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria from liver (Nicchitta & Williamson, 1984;Lenzen et al, 1986;Kroner, 1988;McCormack, 1989), hepatoma cells (Fiskum, 1985), brain (Lenzen et al, 1986;Jensen et al, 1987Jensen et al, , 1989Rottenberg & Marbach, 1990), heart (Lenzen et al, 1986;McCormack, 1989), kidney (McCormack, 1989) and pancreatic islets (Lenzen & Rustenbeck, 1991). Surprisingly, however, for unknown reasons rather different half-maximally effective concentrations were reported (Nicchitta & Williamson, 1984;Lenzen et al, 1986;Jensen et al, 1987;Kroner, 1988;McCormack, 1989).…”