Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1 or SSAT1) is the key regulatory enzyme in the catabolism of polyamines, catalyzing acetylation of spermidine or spermine to generate N1-acetyl spermidine or N1-acetyl spermine, and N1, N12-diacetylspermine. The cellular level of SAT1 is normally extremely low, but it is induced rapidly by a variety of stimuli, including polyamines, polyamine analogs, toxic chemicals, certain drµgs, and growth factors. Downregulation of SAT1 has been reported in Epstein-Barr virus positive Burkitts lymphoma cells.
