The PARP Way to Epigenetic Changes

ADP-ribosylation, is a reversible post-translational modification implicated in major biological functions. Poly ADP-ribose polymerases (PARP) are specialized enzymes that catalyze the addition of ADP ribose units from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-donor molecules to their target substrates. This reaction known as PARylation modulates essential cellular processes including DNA damage response, chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation and gene expression. Herein, we discuss emerging roles of PARP1 in chromatin remodeling and epigenetic regulation, focusing on its therapeutic implications for cancer treatment and beyond.

Automated summary

ADP-ribosylation is a reversible post-translational modification that modulates essential cellular processes through PARylation catalyzed by specialized enzyme poly ADP-ribose polymerases (PARP). PARP1 plays important roles in chromatin remodeling and epigenetic regulation, with therapeutic implications for cancer treatment and beyond.