The expression of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase during differentiation-linked DNA replication reveals that it is a component of the multiprotein DNA replication complex

Utility of peptide-protein affinity complexes in proteomics: identification of interaction partners of a tumor suppressor peptide

We used a N-biotinylated peptide analog of the C-terminal domain of the tumor suppressor protein, p21cip1/waf1 to elucidate peptide/protein interacting partners. The C-terminal domain of p21cip1/waf1 protein spanning 141-160 amino acid residues is known to bind PCNA and this interaction is important in many biological processes including cell-cycle control. This C-terminal 20-mer efficiently extracts PCNA in the presence of a variety of N- or C-terminally attached affinity tags. Using difference silver stained 2D gels combined with in-gel tryptic digests, we identified the difference spots using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry-based peptide mass fingerprinting followed by a database search using PROFOUND against NCBIs human nonredundant protein sequence data bank. Identified spots include the p48 subunit of chromatin assembly factor-1, the heat shock 70 protein analog BiP, calmodulin, nucleolin and a spot similar in size to dimeric PCNA. In contrast, microcapillary ion-trap LC-MS/MS analysis of a tryptic digest of entire affinity extracts derived from both control and experimental runs followed by database searches using SEQUEST confirmed the presence of most of the above proteins. This strategy also identified hnRNPA1, HPSP90alpha, HSP40 and T-complex protein 1, a protein similar to prothymosin, and a possible allelic variant of the p21cip1/waf1 protein. The use of N-biotinylated peptide derived from the C-terminal domain of p21cip1/waf1 protein in proteomic analysis exemplified here suggests that peptides obtained from intracellular functional screens could also potentially serve as efficient baits to discover new drug targets.

Nicotinamide- and caspase-mediated inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase are associated with p53-independent cell cycle (G2) arrest and apoptosis

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), which is activated by DNA strand breaks, is involved in DNA repair and replication but, during apoptosis, undergoes early caspase-mediated cleavage. Activation of programmed cell death in response to DNA damage may rely on functional p53 protein. Tumor cells are commonly deficient in this oncogene product resulting in resistance to many cytostatic drugs. Here we report that nicotinamide-induced inhibition of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation and cytokine-induced nitric oxide production both result in a transient increase in p53 levels in pancreatic tumor RINm5F cells. These treatments also induce disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi(m)), as revealed using the mitochondrial probe JC-1, followed by PARP cleavage and apoptosis all of which are inhibited by the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Moreover, PARP-inhibition by nicotinamide or 3-aminobenzamide induces apoptosis and/or cell cycle arrest at the G2 checkpoint in all of four tested tumor cell lines of both mesenchymal and epithelial origin including mouse NIH-3T3 cells and p53 deficient human HeLa and Jurkat cells. Bcl-2 counteracts cytokine-, but not nicotinamide-induced G2 arrest. These findings indicate that both chemical and caspase-mediated inhibition of PARP activity, possibly by interfering with DNA replication and repair, may promote a p53-independent G2 arrest and apoptosis.

Effect of growth factors on nuclear and mitochondrial ADP-ribosylation processes during astroglial cell development and aging in culture

Epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin (INS) are powerful mitogens and may regulate gene expression in cultured astrocytes by ADP-ribosylation process. Nuclear poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) and mitochondrial monoADP-ribosyltransferase (ADPRT) are the key enzymes involved in poly-ADP-ribosylation and mono ADP-ribosylation, respectively. In this investigation the effect of EGF, bFGF, IGF-I or INS on nuclear PARP and mitochondrial ADPRT activities were assessed in nuclei and mitochondria purified from developing (30 DIV) or aging (90 and 190 DIV) primary rat astrocyte cultures. A marked increase of PARP activity in bFGF or IGF-I treated astroglial cell cultures at 30 DIV was found. Nuclear PARP and mitochondrial ADPRT activities were greatly stimulated by treatment with EGF or INS alone or together in astrocyte cultures at 30 DIV. Nuclear PARP and mitochondrial ADPRT activities showed a more remarkable increase in control untreated astrocyte cultures at 190 DIV than at 90 DIV. These findings suggest that ADP-ribosylation process is involved in DNA damage and repair during cell differentiation and aging in culture. Twelve hours treatment with EGF, INS or bFGF significantly stimulated nuclear PARP and mitochondrial ADPRT activities in 190 DIV aging astrocyte cultures. The above results indicate that EGF, INS and bFGF may play a crucial role in the post-translational modification of chromosomal proteins including ADP-ribosylation process in in vitro models. This suggests that growth factors regulate genomic stability in glial cells during development and maturation, stimulating nuclear and mitochondrial ADP-ribosylation processes in developing or aging astrocyte cultures.

Poly(adenosine 5'-diphosphate) ribose polymerase activation as a cause of metabolic dysfunction in critical illness

Poly(adenosine 5'-diphosphate) ribose polymerase is a nuclear enzyme activated in response to genotoxic stress induced by a variety of DNA damaging agents. Several oxygen and nitrogen-centered free radicals, notably peroxynitrite, are strong inducers of DNA damage and poly(adenosine 5'-diphosphate) ribose polymerase activation in vitro and in vivo. Activation of this nuclear enzyme depletes the intracellular stores of its substrate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, slowing the rate of glycolysis, mitochondrial electron transport and adenosine triphosphate formation. This process triggers a severe energetic crisis within the cell, leading to acute cell dysfunction and cell necrosis. Poly(adenosine 5'-diphosphate) ribose polymerase also plays an important role in the regulation of inflammatory cascades, through a functional association with various transcription factors and transcription co-activators. Recent works identified this enzyme as a critical mediator of cellular metabolic dysfunction, inflammatory injury, and organ damage in conditions associated with overwhelming oxidative stress, including systemic inflammation, circulatory shock, and ischemia-reperfusion. Accordingly, pharmacological inhibitors of poly(adenosine 5'-diphosphate) ribose polymerase protect against cell death and tissue injury in such conditions, and may therefore represent novel therapeutic tools to limit multiple organ damage and dysfunction in critically ill patients.

PARP co-activates B-MYB through enhanced phosphorylation at cyclin/cdk2 sites

PARP is a multifunctional protein that can affect genome stability, transcription control, telomere length and cell death. Recently we have reported that PARP binds to and enhances B-MYB transactivating potential. B-MYB is a potentially oncogenic transcription factor involved in mammalian cell proliferation, survival and differentiation. B-MYB gene expression is growth regulated and B-MYB protein is phosphorylated during S phase by cyclin A or E/cdk2 kinase, resulting in augmented transactivating potential. Here we show that PARP induces phosphorylation of B-MYB protein at cdk2 phosphorylation sites, since a B-MYB protein with mutated cdk2 phosphorylation sites is refractory to PARP-induced phosphorylation and co-activation in mammalian cells. We propose that PARP functions as a B-MYB co-factor by promoting cyclin/cdk2-dependent B-MYB phosphorylation. These results highlight a novel role for PARP as a factor that integrates cyclin-dependent kinases signaling with gene transcription.

Normal telomere length and chromosomal end capping in poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-deficient mice and primary cells despite increased chromosomal instability

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1, a detector of single-strand breaks, plays a key role in the cellular response to DNA damage. PARP-1-deficient mice are hypersensitive to genotoxic agents and display genomic instability due to a DNA repair defect in the base excision repair pathway. A previous report suggested that PARP-1-deficient mice also had a severe telomeric dysfunction consisting of telomere shortening and increased end-to-end fusions (d'Adda di Fagagna, F., M.P. Hande, W.-M. Tong, P.M. Lansdorp, Z.-Q. Wang, and S.P. Jackson. 1999. NAT: Genet. 23:76-80). In contrast to that, and using a panoply of techniques, including quantitative telomeric (Q)-FISH, we did not find significant differences in telomere length between wild-type and PARP-1(-/)- littermate mice or PARP-1(-/)- primary cells. Similarly, there were no differences in the length of the G-strand overhang. Q-FISH and spectral karyotyping analyses of primary PARP-1(-/)- cells showed a frequency of 2 end-to-end fusions per 100 metaphases, much lower than that described previously (d'Adda di Fagagna et al., 1999). This low frequency of end-to-end fusions in PARP-1(-/)- primary cells is accordant with the absence of severe proliferative defects in PARP-1(-/)- mice. The results presented here indicate that PARP-1 does not play a major role in regulating telomere length or in telomeric end capping, and the chromosomal instability of PARP-1(-/)- primary cells can be explained by the repair defect associated to PARP-1 deficiency. Finally, no interaction between PARP-1 and the telomerase reverse transcriptase subunit, Tert, was found using the two-hybrid assay.

Nuclear factor 1 interferes with Sp1 binding through a composite element on the rat poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase promoter to modulate its activity in vitro

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) catalyzes the rapid and extensive poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of nuclear proteins in response to DNA strand breaks, and its expression, although ubiquitous, is modulated from tissue to tissue and during cellular differentiation. PARP-1 gene promoters from human, rat, and mouse have been cloned, and they share a structure common to housekeeping genes, as they lack a functional TATA box and contain multiple GC boxes, which bind the transcriptional activator Sp1. We have previously shown that, although Sp1 is important for rat PARP1 (rPARP) promoter activity, its finely tuned modulation is likely dependent on other transcription factors that bind the rPARP proximal promoter in vitro. In this study, we identified one such factor as NF1-L, a rat liver isoform of the nuclear factor 1 family of transcription factors. The NF1-L site on the rPARP promoter overlaps one of the Sp1 binding sites previously identified, and we demonstrated that binding of both factors to this composite element is mutually exclusive. Furthermore, we provide evidence that NF1-L has no effect by itself on rPARP promoter activity, but rather down-regulates the Sp1 activity by interfering with its ability to bind the rPARP promoter in order to modulate transcription of the rPARP gene.

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of p53 in vitro and in vivo modulates binding to its DNA consensus sequence

The tumor-suppressor p53 undergoes extensive poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation early during apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells, and degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) attached to p53 coincides with poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1, (PARP-1) cleavage, and expression of p53 target genes. The mechanism by which poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation may regulate p53 function has now been investigated. Purified wild-type PARP-1 catalyzed the poly(ADP-ribosyl) of full-length p53 in vitro. In gel supershift assays, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation suppressed p53 binding to its DNA consensus sequence; however, when p53 remained unmodified in the presence of inactive mutant PARP-1, it retained sequence-specific DNA binding activity. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of p53 by PARP-1 during early apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells also inhibited p53 interaction with its DNA consensus sequence; thus, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation may represent a novel means for regulating transcriptional activation by p53 in vivo.

Rat germinal cells require PARP for repair of DNA damage induced by gamma-irradiation and H2O2 treatment

The ability of rat germinal cells to recover from genotoxic stress has been investigated using isolated populations of primary spermatocytes and round spermatids. Using a comet assay at pH 10.0 to assess single strand breakage (SSB) in DNA, it was found that a high level of damage was induced by 5 Gy gamma-irradiation and acute exposure to 50 microM H2O2. This damage was effectively repaired during a subsequent recovery period of 1-3 hours culture in vitro but repair was significantly delayed in the presence of the poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (3-ABA). Immunofluorescence detection of PARP with specific antibodies localised the protein to discrete foci within the nucleus of both spermatocytes and spermatids. Poly(ADP-ribose) (pADPR) could also be detected in spermatid nuclei following gamma-irradiation or H2O2 treatment. Moreover, PARP activation occurs both in spermatocytes and spermatids left to recover after both genotoxic stresses. The NO donors, 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1) and S-nitrosoglutathione (SNOG), caused significant SSBs in both spermatocytes and spermatids. The effects of SIN-1 could be prevented by exogenous catalase (CAT), but not superoxide dismutase (SOD), in the cell suspensions. SNOG-induced SSBs were insensitive to both CAT and SOD. It is concluded that DNA in spermatocytes and spermatids is sensitive to damage by gamma-irradiation and H2O2 and that efficient repair of SSBs requires PARP activity.

Nucleotide excision repair "a legacy of creativity"

The first half of the 20th century has seen an enormous growth in our knowledge of DNA repair, in no small part due to the work of Dirk Bootsma, Philip Hanawalt and Bryn Bridges; those honored by this issue. For the new millennium, we have asked three general questions: (A) Do we know all possible strategies of nucleotide excision repair (NER) in all organisms? (B) How is NER integrated and regulated in cells and tissues? (C) Does DNA replication represent a new frontier in the roles of DNA repair? We make some suggestions for the kinds of answers the next generation may provide. The kingdom of archea represents an untapped field for investigation of DNA repair in organisms with extreme lifestyles. NER appears to involve a similar strategy to the other kingdoms of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, but subtle differences suggest that individual components of the system may differ. NER appears to be regulated by several major factors, especially p53 and Rb which interact with transcription coupled repair and global genomic repair, respectively. Examples can be found of major regulatory changes in repair in testicular tissue and melanoma cells. Our understanding of replication of damaged DNA has undergone a revolution in recent years, with the discovery of multiple low-fidelity DNA polymerases that facilitate replicative bypass. A secondary mechanism of replication in the absence of NER or of one or more of these polymerases involves sister chromatid exchange and recombination (hMre11/hRad50/Nbs1). The relative importance of bypass and recombination is determined by the action of p53. We hypothesise that these polymerases may be involved in resolution of complex DNA structures during completion of replication and sister chromatid resolution. With these fascinating problems to investigate, the field of DNA repair will surely not disappoint the next generation.

Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity is insufficient to induce tetraploidy

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) knockout mice are resistant to murine models of human diseases such as cerebral and myocardial ischemia, traumatic brain injury, diabetes, Parkinsonism, endotoxic shock and arthritis, implicating PARP in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Potent selective PARP inhibitors are therefore being evaluated as novel therapeutic agents in the treatment of these diseases. Inhibition or depletion of PARP, however, increases genomic instability in cells exposed to genotoxic agents. We recently demonstrated the presence of a genomically unstable tetraploid population in PARP(-/-) fibroblasts and its loss after stable transfection with PARP cDNA. To elucidate whether the genomic instability is attributable to PARP deficiency or lack of PARP activity, we investigated the effects of PARP inhibition on development of tetraploidy. Immortalized wild-type and PARP(-/-) fibroblasts were exposed for 3 weeks to 20 microM GPI 6150 (1,11b-dihydro-[2H:]benzopyrano[4,3,2-de]isoquinolin-3-one), a novel small molecule specific competitive inhibitor of PARP (K(i) = 60 nM) and one of the most potent PARP inhibitors to date (IC(50) = 0.15 microM). Although GPI 6150 initially decreased cell growth in wild-type cells, there was no effect on cell growth or viability after 24 h. GPI 6150 inhibited endogenous PARP activity in wild-type cells by approximately 91%, to about the residual levels in PARP(-/-) cells. Flow cytometric analysis of unsynchronized wild-type cells exposed for 3 weeks to GPI 6150 did not induce the development of tetraploidy, suggesting that, aside from its catalytic function, PARP may play other essential roles in the maintenance of genomic stability.

Cigarette smoke and asbestos activate poly-ADP-ribose polymerase in alveolar epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

Cigarette smoke augments asbestos-induced bronchogenic carcinoma in a synergistic manner by mechanisms that are not established. One important mechanism may involve alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) injury resulting from oxidant-induced DNA damage that subsequently activates poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), an enzyme involved in DNA repair that can deplete cellular energy stores. We previously showed that whole aqueous cigarette smoke extracts (CSE) augment amosite asbestos-induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity to cultured AEC in part by generating iron-induced free radicals. We hypothesized that CSE increase asbestos-induced AEC injury by triggering PARP activation resulting from DNA damage caused by iron-induced free radicals.

METHODS

Aqueous CSE were prepared fresh on the day of each experiment. PARP activity in WI-26 (a type I-like cell line) and A549 (a type II-like cell line) cells was assessed by the uptake of labeled NAD over 4 hours and confirmed on the basis of the reduction of PARP levels in the presence of a PARP inhibitor, 3-aminobenzamide (3-ABA). Cell survival was assessed by trypan blue dye exclusion.

RESULTS

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 1-250 microM), CSE (0.4-10 vol%), and amosite asbestos (5-250 micrograms/cm2) each caused PARP activation in WI-26 and A549 cells. The combination of asbestos (5 micrograms/cm2) and CSE (0.04-10%) induced WI-26 and A549 cell PARP activation without evidence of synergism. 3-ABA significantly attenuated WI-26 and A549 cell PARP activity and cell death after exposure to H2O2, CSE, and asbestos. Phytic acid, an iron chelator, catalase, and superoxide dismutase each decreased WI-26 cell PARP activation caused by asbestos and CSE.

CONCLUSIONS

CSE and asbestos induced PARP activation in cultured AEC in a nonsynergistic manner. These data provide further support that asbestos and cigarette smoke are genotoxic to relevant lung target cells and that iron-induced free radicals in part cause these effects.

A coordinated interplay: proteins with multiple functions in DNA replication, DNA repair, cell cycle/checkpoint control, and transcription

In eukaryotic cells, DNA transactions such as replication, repair, and transcription require a large set of proteins. In all of these events, complexes of more than 30 polypetides appear to function in highly organized and structurally well-defined machines. We have learned in the past few years that the three essential macromolecular events, replication, repair, and transcription, have common functional entities and are coordinated by complex regulatory mechanisms. This can be documented for replication and repair, for replication and checkpoint control, and for replication and cell cycle control, as well as for replication and transcription. In this review we cover the three different protein classes: DNA polymerases, DNA polymerase accessory proteins, and selected transcription factors. The "common enzyme-different pathway strategy" is fascinating from several points of view: first, it might guarantee that these events are coordinated; second, it can be viewed from an evolutionary angle; and third, this strategy might provide cells with backup mechanisms for essential physiological tasks.

A role of the Ca2+/Mg2+-dependent endonuclease in apoptosis and its inhibition by Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase

Apoptosis is characterized by various cell morphological and biochemical features, one of which is the internucleosomal degradation of genomic DNA. The role of the human chromatin-bound Ca(2+)- and Mg(2+)-dependent endonuclease (CME) DNAS1L3 and its inhibition by poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in the DNA degradation that accompanies apoptosis was investigated. The nuclear localization of this endonuclease is the unique feature that distinguishes it from other suggested apoptotic nucleases. Purified recombinant DNAS1L3 was shown to cleave nuclear DNA into both high molecular weight and oligonucleosomal fragments in vitro. Furthermore, exposure of mouse skin fibroblasts expressing DNAS1L3 to inducers of apoptosis resulted in oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation, an effect not observed in cells not expressing this CME, as well as in a decrease in cell viability greater than that apparent in the control cells. Recombinant DNAS1L3 was modified by recombinant human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in vitro, resulting in a loss of nuclease activity. The DNAS1L3 protein also underwent poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in transfected mouse skin fibroblasts in response to inducers of apoptosis. The cleavage and inactivation of PARP by a caspase-3-like enzyme late in apoptosis were associated with a decrease in the extent of DNAS1L3 poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, which likely releases DNAS1L3 from inhibition and allows it to catalyze the degradation of genomic DNA.

Polymerase eta deficiency in the xeroderma pigmentosum variant uncovers an overlap between the S phase checkpoint and double-strand break repair

The xeroderma pigmentosum variant (XPV) is a genetic disease involving high levels of solar-induced cancer that has normal excision repair but shows defective DNA replication after UV irradiation because of mutations in the damage-specific polymerase hRAD30. We previously found that the induction of sister chromatid exchanges by UV irradiation was greatly enhanced in transformed XPV cells, indicating the activation of a recombination pathway. We now have identified that XPV cells make use of a homologous recombination pathway involving the hMre11/hRad50/Nbs1 protein complex, but not the Rad51 recombination pathway. The hMre11 complexes form at arrested replication forks, in association with proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In x-ray-damaged cells, in contrast, there is no association between hMre11 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. This recombination pathway assumes greater importance in transformed XPV cells that lack a functional p53 pathway and can be detected at lower frequencies in excision-defective XPA fibroblasts and normal cells. DNA replication arrest after UV damage, and the associated S phase checkpoint, is therefore a complex process that can recruit a recombination pathway that has a primary role in repair of double-strand breaks from x-rays. The symptoms of elevated solar carcinogenesis in XPV patients therefore may be associated with increased genomic rearrangements that result from double-strand breakage and rejoining in cells of the skin in which p53 is inactivated by UV-induced mutations.

Characterization of sPARP-1. An alternative product of PARP-1 gene with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity independent of DNA strand breaks

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is an abundant nuclear enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of poly(ADP-ribose) (pADPr) from its substrate NAD(+) upon binding to DNA strand breaks. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation has been implicated in many cellular processes including replication, transcription, and the maintenance of genomic stability. However, studies with mice and cells lacking PARP-1 reveal a critical role for the enzyme in the maintenance of genomic integrity only. Recently, a significant level of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity has been detected in fibroblasts derived from mice lacking PARP-1 following treatment with genotoxic agents (Shieh, W. M., Amé, J-C., Wilson, M. V., Wang, Z-Q., Koh, D. W., Jacobson, M. K., and Jacobson, E. L. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 30069-30072). We have isolated a cDNA that originates from PARP-1 (-/-) fibroblasts and encodes a polypeptide of 493 amino acid residues bearing poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity. This protein, that we named sPARP-1 for short poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1, has a calculated mass of 55.3 kDa and is identical in deduced amino acid sequence to the catalytic domain of PARP-1. Radiation hybrid analysis assigned the sPARP-1 gene to the chromosome 1H5-H6 in an immediate proximity to the known location of PARP-1 gene, indicating that sPARP-1 and PARP-1 are most probably products of the same gene. Active sPARP-1 is present in both PARP-1 (+/+) and PARP-1 (-/-) cells as demonstrated by activity-Western blotting and immunostaining using a specific antibody developed against sPARP-1. Like PARP-1, sPARP-1 is localized in the cell nucleus, uses NAD(+) as a substrate and is inhibited by nicotinamide analogues. sPARP-1 produces pADPr of similar length and structure to that of PARP-1. However, contrary to PARP-1, sPARP-1 does not require DNA strand breaks for its activation, although it is stimulated following genotoxic treatments.

Yield of SCEs and translocations produced by 3 aminobenzamide in cultured Chinese hamster cells

Different concentrations of 3-aminobenzamide (3AB), a strong inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), were used to study their effect on the BrdU-substituted DNA of the Chinese hamster AA8 cell line. The frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and translocations were determined using the fluorescence plus Giemsa (FPG) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques, respectively. The results indicate that 3AB effectively induced a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of SCEs, but this enhancement in the yield of SCEs was not paralleled by an increase in translocations. These results are discussed in terms of the as yet poorly understood molecular mechanisms of action of the enzyme PARP.

The Werner syndrome gene product co-purifies with the DNA replication complex and interacts with PCNA and topoisomerase I

Werner syndrome (WS) is a recessive disorder characterized by genomic instability and by the premature onset of a number of age-related diseases. To understand the molecular basis of this disease, we deleted a segment of the murine Wrn gene and created Wrn-deficient embryonic stem (ES) cells. At the molecular level, wild type-but not mutant-WS protein co-purifies through a series of centrifugation, chromatography, and sucrose gradient steps with the well characterized 17 S multiprotein DNA replication complex. Furthermore, wild type WS protein co-immunoprecipitates with a prominent component of the multiprotein replication complex, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In vitro studies also indicate that PCNA binds to a region in the N terminus portion of the WS protein containing a potential 3'-5' exonuclease domain. Finally, human WS protein also co-immunoprecipitates with both PCNA and topoisomerase I. These results suggest that the WS protein interacts with several components of the DNA replication fork.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase upregulates E2F-1 promoter activity and DNA pol alpha expression during early S phase

E2F-1, a transcription factor implicated in the activation of genes required for S phase such as DNA pol alpha, is regulated by interactions with Rb and by cell-cycle dependent alterations in E2F-1 abundance. We have shown that depletion of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) by antisense RNA expression downregulates pol alpha and E2F-1 expression during early S phase. To examine the role of PARP in the regulation of pol alpha and E2F-1 gene expression, we utilized immortalized mouse fibroblasts derived from wild-type and PARP knockout (PARP-/-) mice as well as PARP-/- cells stably transfected with PARP cDNA [PARP-/-(+PARP)]. After release from serum deprivation, wild-type and PARP-/-(+PARP) cells, but not PARP-/- cells, exhibited a peak of cells in S phase by 16 h and had progressed through the cell cycle by 22 h. Whereas [3H]thymidine incorporation remained negligible in PARP-/- cells, in vivo DNA replication maximized after 18 h in wild-type and PARP-/-(+PARP) cells. To investigate the effect of PARP on E2F-1 promoter activity, a construct containing the E2F-1 gene promoter fused to a luciferase reporter gene was transiently transfected into these cells. E2F-1 promoter activity in control and PARP-/-(+PARP) cells increased eightfold after 9 h, but not in PARP-/- cells. PARP-/- cells did not show the marked induction of E2F-1 expression during early S phase apparent in control and PARP-/-(+PARP) cells. RT - PCR analysis and pol alpha activity assays revealed the presence of pol alpha transcripts and a sixfold increase in activity in both wild-type and PARP-/-(+PARP) cells after 20 h, but not in PARP-/- cells. These results suggest that PARP plays a role in the induction of E2F-1 promoter activity, which then positively regulates both E2F-1 and pol alpha expression, when quiescent cells reenter the cell cycle upon recovery from aphidicolin exposure or removal of serum.

Role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage in apoptosis. Caspase 3-resistant PARP mutant increases rates of apoptosis in transfected cells

An early transient burst of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of nuclear proteins was recently shown to be required for apoptosis to proceed in various cell lines (Simbulan-Rosenthal, C., Rosenthal, D., Iyer, S., Boulares, H., and Smulson, M. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 13703-13712) followed by cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), catalyzed by caspase-3. This inactivation of PARP has been proposed to prevent depletion of NAD (a PARP substrate) and ATP, which are thought to be required for later events in apoptosis. The role of PARP cleavage in apoptosis has now been investigated in human osteosarcoma cells and PARP -/- fibroblasts stably transfected with a vector encoding a caspase-3-resistant PARP mutant. Expression of this mutant PARP increased the rate of staurosporine and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced apoptosis, at least in part by reducing the time interval required for the onset of caspase-3 activation and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, as well as the generation of 50-kilobase pair DNA breaks, thought to be associated with early chromatin unfolding. Overexpression of wild-type PARP in osteosarcoma cells also accelerated the apoptotic process, although not to the same extent as that apparent in cells expressing the mutant PARP. These effects of the mutant and wild-type enzymes might be due to the early and transient poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis in response to DNA breaks, and the accompanying depletion of NAD apparent in the transfected cells. The accelerated NAD depletion did not seem to interfere with the later stages of apoptosis. These results indicate that PARP activation and subsequent cleavage have active and complex roles in apoptosis.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and Ku autoantigen form a complex and synergistically bind to matrix attachment sequences

Genomic sequences with a cluster of ATC sequence stretches where one strand consists exclusively of well mixed As, Ts, and Cs confer high base unpairing propensity under negative superhelical strain. Such base unpairing regions (BURs) are typically found in scaffold or matrix attachment regions (SARs/MARs) that are thought to contribute to the formation of the loop domain structure of chromatin. Several proteins, including cell type-specific proteins, have been identified that bind specifically to double-stranded BURs either in vitro or in vivo. By using BUR-affinity chromatography to isolate BUR-binding proteins from breast cancer SK-BR-3 cells, we almost exclusively obtained a complex of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). Both PARP and DNA-PK are activated by DNA strand breaks and are implicated in DNA repair, recombination, DNA replication, and transcription. In contrast to the previous notion that PARP and Ku autoantigen, the DNA-binding subunit of DNA-PK, mainly bind to free ends of DNA, here we show that both proteins individually bind BURs with high affinity and specificity in an end-independent manner using closed circular BUR-containing DNA substrates. We further demonstrate that PARP and Ku autoantigen form a molecular complex in vivo and in vitro in the absence of DNA, and as a functional consequence, their affinity to the BURs are synergistically enhanced. ADP-ribosylation of the nuclear extract abrogated the BUR binding activity of this complex. These results provide a mechanistic link toward understanding the functional overlap of PARP and DNA-PK and suggest a novel role for these proteins in the regulation of chromatin structure and function.

A role of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in NF-kappaB transcriptional activation

The transcription factor NF-kappaB plays a critical role in immune and inflammatory responses. Here we show that poly (ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) is required for specific NF-kappaB transcriptional activation in vivo. The activation of the HIV-LTR promoter and an NF-kappaB-dependent artificial promoter was drastically reduced in PARP (-/-) cells, independently of the signaling pathway through which NF-kappaB was induced. Furthermore NF-kappaB-dependent gene activation was restored in vivo by the expression of PARP in PARP (-/-) cells. Finally, we show that both NF-kappaB and PARP formed a stable immunoprecipitable nuclear complex. This interaction did not need DNA binding. Our results suggest that PARP is an important cofactor in the activation cascade of NF-kappaB-dependent target genes.

Oxidative stress in brain ischemia

Brain ischemia initiates a complex cascade of metabolic events, several of which involve the generation of nitrogen and oxygen free radicals. These free radicals and related reactive chemical species mediate much of damage that occurs after transient brain ischemia, and in the penumbral region of infarcts caused by permanent ischemia. Nitric oxide, a water- and lipid-soluble free radical, is generated by the action of nitric oxide synthases. Ischemia causes a surge in nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS 1) activity in neurons and, possibly, glia, increased NOS 3 activity in vascular endothelium, and later an increase in NOS 2 activity in a range of cells including infiltrating neutrophils and macrophages, activated microglia and astrocytes. The effects of ischemia on the activity of NOS 1, a Ca2+-dependent enzyme, are thought to be secondary to reversal of glutamate reuptake at synapses, activation of NMDA receptors, and resulting elevation of intracellular Ca2+. The up-regulation of NOS 2 activity is mediated by transcriptional inducers. In the context of brain ischemia, the activity of NOS 1 and NOS 2 is broadly deleterious, and their inhibition or inactivation is neuroprotective. However, the production of nitric oxide in blood vessels by NOS 3, which, like NOS 1, is Ca2+-dependent, causes vasodilatation and improves blood flow in the penumbral region of brain infarcts. In addition to causing the synthesis of nitric oxide, brain ischemia leads to the generation of superoxide, through the action of nitric oxide synthases, xanthine oxidase, leakage from the mitochondrial electron transport chain, and other mechanisms. Nitric oxide and superoxide are themselves highly reactive but can also combine to form a highly toxic anion, peroxynitrite. The toxicity of the free radicals and peroxynitrite results from their modification of macromolecules, especially DNA, and from the resulting induction of apoptotic and necrotic pathways. The mode of cell death that prevails probably depends on the severity and precise nature of the ischemic injury. Recent studies have emphasized the role of peroxynitrite in causing single-strand breaks in DNA, which activate the DNA repair protein poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). This catalyzes the cleavage and thereby the consumption of NAD+, the source of energy for many vital cellular processes. Over-activation of PARP, with resulting depletion of NAD+, has been shown to make a major contribution to brain damage after transient focal ischemia in experimental animals. Neuronal accumulation of poly(ADP-ribose), the end-product of PARP activity has been demonstrated after brain ischemia in man. Several therapeutic strategies have been used to try to prevent oxidative damage and its consequences after brain ischemia in man. Although some of the drugs used in early studies were ineffective or had unacceptable side effects, other trials with antioxidant drugs have proven highly encouraging. The findings in recent animal studies are likely to lead to a range of further pharmacological strategies to limit brain injury in stroke patients.

Developmental activation of the capability to undergo checkpoint-induced apoptosis in the early zebrafish embryo

In this study, we demonstrate the developmental activation, in the zebrafish embryo, of a surveillance mechanism which triggers apoptosis to remove damaged cells. We determine the time course of activation of this mechanism by exposing embryos to camptothecin, an agent which specifically inhibits topoisomerase I within the DNA replication complex and which, as a consequence of this inhibition, also produces strand breaks in the genomic DNA. In response to an early (pre-gastrula) treatment with camptothecin, apoptosis is induced at a time corresponding approximately to mid-gastrula stage in controls. This apoptotic response to a block of DNA replication can also be induced by early (pre-MBT) treatment with the DNA synthesis inhibitors hydroxyurea and aphidicolin. After camptothecin treatment, a high proportion of cells in two of the embryo's three mitotic domains (the enveloping and deep cell layers), but not in the remaining domain (the yolk syncytial layer), undergoes apoptosis in a cell-autonomous fashion. The first step in this response is an arrest of the proliferation of all deep- and enveloping-layer cells. These cells continue to increase in nuclear volume and to synthesize DNA. Eventually they become apoptotic, by a stereotypic pathway which involves cell membrane blebbing, "margination" and fragmentation of nuclei, and cleavage of the genomic DNA to produce a nucleosomal ladder. Fragmentation of nuclei can be blocked by the caspase-1,4,5 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CHO, but not by the caspase-2,3,7[, 1] inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO. This suggests a functional requirement for caspase-4 or caspase-5 in the apoptotic response to camptothecin. Recently, Xenopus has been shown to display a developmental activation of the capability for stress- or damaged-induced apoptosis at early gastrula stage. En masse, our experiments suggest that the apoptotic responses in zebrafish and Xenopus are fundamentally similar. Thus, as for mammals, embryos of the lower vertebrates exhibit the activation of surveillance mechanisms, early in development, to produce the selective apoptosis of damaged cells.

Involvement of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase in the Pax-6 gene regulation in neuroretina

The quail Pax-6 gene is expressed from two promoters named P0 and P1. P0 promoter is under the control of a neuroretina-specific enhancer (EP). This enhancer activates the P0 promoter specifically in neuroretina cells and in a developmental stage-dependent manner. The EP enhancer binds efficiently, as revealed by southwestern experiments, to a 110 kDa protein present in neuroretina cells but not in Quail Embryos Cells and Retinal Pigmented Epithelium which do not express the P0-initiated mRNAs. To study the role of p110 in Pax-6 regulation, we have purified the p110 from neuroretina cells extracts. Based on the peptide sequence of the purified protein, we have identified the p110 as the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Using bandshift experiments and footprinting studies, we present evidence that PARP is a component of protein complexes bound to the EP enhancer that increases the on rate of the protein complex formation to DNA. Using PARP inhibitors (3AB and 6.5 Hphe), we show that these products are able to inhibit EP enhancer activity in neuroretina cells. Finally, we demonstrate that these inhibitors are able to decrease the expression of the P0-initiated mRNA in the MC29-infected RPE cells which, in contrast to the RPE cells, accumulated the PARP in response to v-myc expression. Our results suggest that PARP is involved in the Pax-6 regulation.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase interacts with novel Drosophila ribosomal proteins, L22 and l23a, with unique histone-like amino-terminal extensions

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is a nuclear enzyme that recognizes and binds to the nicks and ends of DNA, and catalyses successive ADP-ribosylation reactions. To clarify the function of PARP at the molecular level, we searched proteins which interact with PARP. In the auto-modification domain of PARP in Drosophila, there is a putative leucine-zipper motif which can interact with other protein molecules. To find interacting proteins we examined the auto-modification domain of Drosophila PARP, using the Far-Western screening method. From six independent cDNA clones isolated, we characterized two clones, PBP-3 and PBP-12. The predicted amino acid sequences from 109 to 269 of PBP-3 and from 184 to 312 of PBP-12 had more than 62% identities to mammalian L23a (rpl23a) and L22 (rpl22), the ribosomal proteins of the large subunit. This indicated that PBP-3 and PBP-12 are Drosophila homologues of L23a and L22, respectively. These Drosophila ribosomal protein L22 and L23a have additional Ala-, Lys- and Pro-rich sequences at the amino terminus, which have a resemblance to the carboxy-terminal portion of histone H1. Thus, Drosophila L22 and L23a might have two functions, namely the role of DNA-binding similar to histone H1 and the role of organizing the ribosome.

Reduced levels of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation result in chromatin compaction and hypermethylation as shown by cell-by-cell computer-assisted quantitative analysis

The unmethylated status of the CpG islands is important for gene expression of correlated housekeeping genes since it is well known that their methylation inhibits transcription process. An interesting question that has been discussed but not solved is how the CpG islands maintain their characteristic unmethylated status even though they are rich in CpG dinucleotides. Our previous in vitro and in vivo research has shown that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is involved in protecting CpG dinucleotides from full methylation in genomic DNA and that a block of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is also involved in modifying the methylation pattern in the promoter region of Htf9 housekeeping gene. In this study we locked for cytological evidence that in the absence of an active poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation the DNA methylation pattern in L929 and NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblast cell lines is altered. For this purpose, differences in the methylation levels of interphase nuclei from control and treated cultures of two murine cell lines preincubated with 2 mM 3-aminobenzamide, an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, were measured in individual cells after indirect immunolabeling with anti-5MeC antibodies. The quantitative analysis allowed us to demonstrate that blocking of the poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation results in a higher number, size, and density of antibody binding regions in treated cells when compared to the controls. Analogously, sequential Giemsa staining and indirect immunolabeling of the same slides showed the heterochromatic regions colocalized with the extended methyl-rich domains.

Involvement of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in base excision repair

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is a zinc-finger DNA binding protein that detects and signals DNA strand breaks generated directly or indirectly by genotoxic agents. In response to these lesions, the immediate poly(ADP-ribosylation) of nuclear proteins converts DNA interruptions into intracellular signals that activate DNA repair or cell death programs. To elucidate the biological function of PARP in vivo, the mouse PARP gene was inactivated by homologous recombination to generate mice lacking a functional PARP gene. PARP knockout mice and the derived mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were acutely sensitive to monofunctional alkylating agents and gamma-irradiation demonstrating that PARP is involved in recovery from DNA damage that triggers the base excision repair (BER) process. To address the issue of the role of PARP in BER, the ability of PARP-deficient mammalian cell extracts to repair a single abasic site present on a circular duplex plasmid molecule was tested in a standard in vitro repair assay. The results clearly demonstrate, for the first time, the involvement of PARP in the DNA synthesis step of the base excision repair process.

Prolongation of the p53 response to DNA strand breaks in cells depleted of PARP by antisense RNA expression

The observation that 3-aminobenzamide, which inhibits a variety of ADP-ribose transferases, prolongs the gamma-irradiation-induced increase in intracellular p53 concentration suggested that one or more of such enzymes may determine the duration of the p53 response during G1 arrest. The role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), an abundant nuclear enzyme activated by DNA strand breaks, in the p53 response to y-irradiation was investigated in Burkitt's lymphoma AG876 cells stably transfected with an inducible PARP antisense construct. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the cellular content of PARP was reduced to virtually undetectable levels after incubation of transfected cells for 72 h with the inducer dexamethasone. In noninduced antisense cells, the p53 concentration reached a maximum 2 h after exposure to 6.3 Gy of gamma-radiation and returned to control values by 4 h. In contrast, the p53 response in PARP-depleted antisense cells peaked at 4 h, with the levels of p53 remaining elevated for up to 12 h after y-irradiation. The maximal increase in p53 concentration was similar in both induced and noninduced cells. These results thus indicate that PARP activity, in part, determines the duration, but not the magnitude, of the p53 response to DNA damage.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase null mouse cells synthesize ADP-ribose polymers

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) (EC 2.4.2.30), the only enzyme known to synthesize ADP-ribose polymers from NAD+, is activated in response to DNA strand breaks and functions in the maintenance of genomic integrity. Mice homozygous for a disrupted gene encoding PARP are viable but have severe sensitivity to gamma-radiation and alkylating agents. We demonstrate here that both 3T3 and primary embryo cells derived from PARP-/- mice synthesized ADP-ribose polymers following treatment with the DNA-damaging agent, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, despite the fact that no PARP protein was detected in these cells. ADP-ribose polymers isolated from PARP-/- cells were indistinguishable from that of PARP+/+ cells by several criteria. First, they bound to a boronate resin selective for ADP-ribose polymers. Second, treatment of polymers with snake venom phosphodiesterase and alkaline phosphatase yielded ribosyladenosine, a nucleoside diagnostic for the unique ribosyl-ribosyl linkages of ADP-ribose polymers. Third, they were digested by treatment with recombinant poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase, an enzyme highly specific for ADP-ribose polymers. Collectively, these data demonstrate that ADP-ribose polymers are formed in PARP-/- cells in a DNA damage-dependent manner. Because the PARP gene has been disrupted, these results suggest the presence of a previously unreported activity capable of synthesizing ADP-ribose polymers in PARP-/- cells.

Purification and cDNA cloning of maize Poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase

Poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase (PADPRP) has been purified to apparent homogeneity from suspension cultures of the maize (Zea mays) callus line. The purified enzyme is a single polypeptide of approximately 115 kD, which appears to dimerize through an S-S linkage. The catalytic properties of the maize enzyme are very similar to those of its animal counterpart. The amino acid sequences of three tryptic peptides were obtained by microsequencing. Antibodies raised against peptides from maize PADPRP cross-reacted specifically with the maize enzyme but not with the enzyme from human cells, and vice versa. We have also characterized a 3.45-kb expressed-sequence-tag clone that contains a full-length cDNA for maize PADPRP. An open reading frame of 2943 bp within this clone encodes a protein of 980 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the maize PADPRP shows 40% to 42% identity and about 50% similarity to the known vertebrate PADPRP sequences. All important features of the modular structure of the PADPRP molecule, such as two zinc fingers, a putative nuclear localization signal, the automodification domain, and the NAD+-binding domain, are conserved in the maize enzyme. Northern-blot analysis indicated that the cDNA probe hybridizes to a message of about 4 kb.

A deletion within the murine Werner syndrome helicase induces sensitivity to inhibitors of topoisomerase and loss of cellular proliferative capacity

Werner syndrome (WS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by genomic instability and the premature onset of a number of age-related diseases. The gene responsible for WS encodes a member of the RecQ-like subfamily of DNA helicases. Here we show that its murine homologue maps to murine chromosome 8 in a region syntenic with the human WRN gene. We have deleted a segment of this gene and created Wrn-deficient embryonic stem (ES) cells and WS mice. While displaying reduced embryonic survival, live-born WS mice otherwise appear normal during their first year of life. Nonetheless, although several DNA repair systems are apparently intact in homozygous WS ES cells, such cells display a higher mutation rate and are significantly more sensitive to topoisomerase inhibitors (especially camptothecin) than are wild-type ES cells. Furthermore, mouse embryo fibroblasts derived from homozygous WS embryos show premature loss of proliferative capacity. At the molecular level, wild-type, but not mutant, WS protein copurifies through a series of centrifugation and chromatography steps with a multiprotein DNA replication complex.

Human cytomegalovirus persistently infects aortic endothelial cells

Endothelial cells (EC) have been implicated as constituting an important cell type in the pathogenesis of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Microvascular and macrovascular EC exhibit different biochemical and functional properties depending on the organ of origin. Phenotypic differences between microvascular and macrovascular EC may alter the ability of these cells to support HCMV replication. In this study, we compared the replication of HCMV in primary macrovascular aortic EC (AEC) with that in brain microvascular EC (BMVEC). An examination of IE72, pp65, and gB viral antigen expression in BMVEC and AEC by immunoflourescence revealed similar frequencies of infected cells. Intracellular production of virus was 3 log units greater in BMVEC than in AEC, while equal quantities of extracellular virus were produced in both cell types. HCMV infection of BMVEC resulted in rapid cellular lysis, while the virus was nonlytic and continuously released from HCMV-infected AEC for the life span of the culture. An examination of infected cells by electron microscopy revealed the formation of abundant nucleocapsids in both AEC and BMVEC. However, significant amounts of mature viral particles were only detected in the cytoplasm of BMVEC. These observations indicate that levels of HCMV replication in EC obtained from different organs are distinct and suggest that persistently infected AEC may serve as a reservoir of virus.

Transient poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of nuclear proteins and role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in the early stages of apoptosis

A transient burst of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of nuclear proteins occurs early, prior to commitment to death, in human osteosarcoma cells undergoing apoptosis, followed by caspase-3-mediated cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The generality of this early burst of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation has now been investigated with human HL-60 cells, mouse 3T3-L1, and immortalized fibroblasts derived from wild-type mice. The effects of eliminating this early transient modification of nuclear proteins by depletion of PARP protein either by antisense RNA expression or by gene disruption on various morphological and biochemical markers of apoptosis were then examined. Marked caspase-3-like PARP cleavage activity, proteolytic processing of CPP32 to its active form, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, and nuclear morphological changes associated with apoptosis were induced in control 3T3-L1 cells treated for 24 h with anti-Fas and cycloheximide but not in PARP-depleted 3T3-L1 antisense cells exposed to these inducers. Similar results were obtained with control and PARP-depleted human Jurkat T cells. Whereas immortalized PARP +/+ fibroblasts showed the early burst of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation and a rapid apoptotic response when exposed to anti-Fas and cycloheximide, PARP -/- fibroblasts exhibited neither the early poly (ADP-ribosyl)ation nor any of the biochemical or morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis when similarly treated. Stable transfection of PARP -/- fibroblasts with wild-type PARP rendered the cells sensitive to Fas-mediated apoptosis. These results suggest that PARP and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation may trigger key steps in the apoptotic program. Subsequent degradation of PARP by caspase-3-like proteases may prevent depletion of NAD and ATP or release certain nuclear proteins from poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation-induced inhibition, both of which might be required for late stages of apoptosis.

Nicotinamide-induced apoptosis in insulin producing cells is associated with cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase

We have presently determined the effect of inhibition of the DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) on the occurrence of apoptosis in insulin-producing cells. The ADP-ribosylation activities of intact cells were decreased by incubation of RINm5F cells for 16 h with the PARP inhibitors nicotinamide (NA) (20-50 mM) or 3-aminobenzamide (3-ABA) (10 mM). Exposure to 20-50 mM NA or 10 mM 3-ABA both resulted in massive apoptosis in RINm5F cells. A 24 h exposure to 50 mM nicotinamide induced apoptosis in fetal but not adult rat islet cells. In addition, exposure of RINm5F cells to 50 mM NA for 12-24 h induced the appearance of the 85 kDa proteolytic PARP fragment, indicating activation of the ICE-like protease caspase-3. Incubation with 20-50 mM NA did not induce any consistent effects upon transcription factor NF-kappaB activity, demonstrating that this pathway is not involved in induction of apoptosis by NA. It is concluded that in insulin-producing cells with a high mitotic rate, inhibition of ADP-ribosylation--and consequently of auto-modification and release of PARP bound to DNA strand breaks--leads to activation of programmed cell death.

Functional association of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase with DNA polymerase alpha-primase complex: a link between DNA strand break detection and DNA replication

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is an element of the DNA damage surveillance network evolved by eukaryotic cells to cope with numerous environmental and endogenous genotoxic agents. PARP has been found to be involved in vivo in both cell proliferation and base excision repair of DNA. In this study the interaction between PARP and the DNA polymerase alpha-primase tetramer has been examined. We provide evidence that in proliferating cells: (i) PARP is physically associated with the catalytic subunit of the DNA polymerase alpha-primase tetramer, an association confirmed by confocal microscopy, demonstrating that both enzymes are co-localized at the nuclear periphery of HeLa cells; (ii) this interaction requires the integrity of the second zinc finger of PARP and is maximal during the S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle; (iii) PARP-deficient cells derived from PARP knock-out mice exhibited reduced DNA polymerase activity, compared with the parental cells, a reduction accentuated following exposure to sublethal doses of methylmethanesulfonate. Altogether, the present results strongly suggest that PARP participates in a DNA damage survey mechanism implying its nick-sensor function as part of the control of replication fork progression when breaks are present in the template.

Biochemical and molecular mechanisms regulating apoptosis

In eukaryotes, the regulation of tissue cell numbers is a critical homeostatic objective that is achieved through tight control of apoptosis, mitosis and differentiation. While much is known about the genetic regulation of cell growth and differentiation, the molecular basis of apoptosis is less well understood. Genes involved in both cell proliferation and apoptosis reflect the role of some stimuli in both of these processes, the cell response depending on the overall cellular milieu. Recent research has given fascinating insights into the complex genetic and molecular mechanisms regulating apoptosis. A picture is emerging of the initiation in certain cells, after an apoptotic trigger, of sequential gene expression and specific signal transduction cascades that guide cells along the cell death pathway. Changes in gene expression precede the better known biochemical and morphological changes of apoptosis. It seems possible that, as a result of increased understanding of the cellular events preceding cell death, apoptosis may become more amenable to manipulation by appropriate drug- and gene-based therapies.

Multiparametric staining to identify apoptotic human cells

To analyze relevant features of HeLa and HL60 cells driven into apoptosis by etoposide, we have developed a new "tricolor" assay, based on the simultaneous analysis in the single cell of chromatin condensation, DNA degradation, and cellular poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis. The latter reaction is catalyzed by poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (E.C. 2.4.2.30), an enzyme which is activated by the presence of DNA free ends. The protocol consists in the visualization of apoptotic cells by Hoechst staining, TUNEL assay, and immunoreaction with anti-poly(ADP-ribose) antibody. We thus provide the first evidence that endogenous poly(ADP-ribose) production is indeed stimulated in cells undergoing apoptosis after treatment with antitumoral drugs, and that the monitoring of this endogenous enzymatic reaction, combined with morphological and other biochemical parameters, should facilitate the detection of apoptotic cells.

Effect of inhibitors of DNA replication on early zebrafish embryos: evidence for coordinate activation of multiple intrinsic cell-cycle checkpoints at the mid-blastula transition

We address the developmental activation, in the zebrafish embryo, of intrinsic cell-cycle checkpoints which monitor the DNA replication process and progression through the cell cycle. Eukaryotic DNA replication is probably carried out by a multiprotein complex containing numerous enzymes and accessory factors that act in concert to effect processive DNA synthesis (Applegren, N. et al. (1995) J. Cell. Biochem. 59, 91-107). We have exposed early zebrafish embryos to three chemical agents which are predicted to specifically inhibit the DNA polymerase alpha, topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II components of the DNA replication complex. We present four findings: (1) Before mid-blastula transition (MBT) an inhibition of DNA synthesis does not block cells from attempting to proceed through mitosis, implying the lack of functional checkpoints. (2) After MBT, the embryo displays two distinct modes of intrinsic checkpoint operation. One mode is a rapid and complete stop of cell division, and the other is an 'adaptive' response in which the cell cycle continues to operate, perhaps in a 'repair' mode, to generate daughter nuclei with few visible defects. (3) The embryo does not display a maximal capability for the 'adaptive' response until several hours after MBT, which is consistent with a slow transcriptional control mechanism for checkpoint activation. (4) The slow activation of checkpoints at MBT provides a window of time during which inhibitors of DNA synthesis will induce cytogenetic lesions without killing the embryo. This could be useful in the design of a deletion-mutagenesis strategy.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase enhances activator-dependent transcription in vitro

Mammalian cells contain activities that amplify the effects of activators on class II gene transcription in vitro. The molecular identity of several of these cofactor activities is still unknown. Here we identify poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) as one functional component of the positive cofactor 1 activity. PARP enhances transcription by acting during preinitiation complex formation, but at a step after binding of transcription factor IID. This transcriptional activation requires the amino-terminal DNA-binding domain, but not the carboxyl-terminal catalytic region. In purified systems, coactivator function requires a large molar excess of PARP over the number of templates, as reported for other DNA-binding cofactors such as topoisomerase I. PARP effects on supercoiled templates are DNA concentration-dependent and do not depend on damaged DNA. The PARP coactivator function is suppressed by NAD+, probably as a result of auto-ADP-ribosylation. These observations provide another example of the potentiation of trancription by certain DNA-binding cofactors and may point to interactions of PARP with RNA polymerase II-associated factors in special situations.