The expanding universe of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a posttranslational protein modification the discovery of which dates back to 1963 when Chambon, Weill and Mandel described the basic features of this process. Later the enzyme responsible for this activity was identified and named poly(ADP-ribose) transferase/synthetase/po...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS 2005-04, Vol.62 (7-8), p.719-720
Main Author: Virag, L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cell Death - physiology
Cell Nucleus - enzymology
DNA Damage - physiology
Glycoside Hydrolases - metabolism
Humans
Isoenzymes - metabolism
Mice
Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases - metabolism
Protein Processing, Post-Translational
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Summary:Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a posttranslational protein modification the discovery of which dates back to 1963 when Chambon, Weill and Mandel described the basic features of this process. Later the enzyme responsible for this activity was identified and named poly(ADP-ribose) transferase/synthetase/polymerase (PADPRT, PARS, PARP). Other fundamental observations including the biochemical and structural characterization of the enzymatic reaction and polymer architecture followed. The next period of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation research was based on pharmacological investigations providing valuable data on the dual nature of PARP. The enzyme emerged as a DNA damage sensor protein assisting DNA repair and cell survival on the one hand and the mediator of cytotoxicity on the other hand. A new era of PARP research ensued when three independent laboratories concurrently generated mice deficient in PARP. Experiments using these animals and their cells confirmed both the 'guardian angle' as well as the 'perpetrator of cell death' functions of PARP. Moreover, the observation that PARP activity is not fully absent in PARP knockout cells initiated a search for new PARP enzymes.
ISSN:1420-682X
DOI:10.1007/s00018-004-4502-4