The PARP Side of the Nucleus: Molecular Actions, Physiological Outcomes, and Clinical Targets

The abundant nuclear enzyme PARP-1, a multifunctional regulator of chromatin structure, transcription, and genomic integrity, plays key roles in a wide variety of processes in the nucleus. Recent studies have begun to connect the molecular functions of PARP-1 to specific physiological and pathological outcomes, many of which can be altered by an expanding array of chemical inhibitors of PARP enzymatic activity.