Synthesis and biological evaluation of aminopolyamines.

Exploitation of the polyamine backbone as a vector for intracellular transport of various pharmacophores has focused largely on fixing the cargo molecule to one of the nitrogens in the linear chain. This communication describes the assembly of a model aminopolyamine analogue, 6-amino-N 1 ,N 12 -diethylspermine, and its biological properties. This amino polyamine presents an additional site of attachment for cargo molecules, reduces cell growth, and achieves cellular concentrations that are higher than those of N 1 ,N 12 -diethylspermine.