Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-activity of chicken embryo cells exposed to nucleotoxic agents

Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP)-activity was assessed in vitro from the incorporation of the adenosine-diphosphate-ribose moiety of 14C-NAD+ in the acid-insoluble cell fraction. When compared to mammalian (rat) cells, chicken embryo cells exhibit an almost three- to fourfold higher constitutive PARP-activity and an about two- to threefold lower chromatin compactness as evidenced by viscometry of alkaline cell lysates and nucleoid sedimentation. X-irradiation, bleomycin and H2O2 activated PARP. Hyperthermia (43 degrees C), doxorubicin, ethidium bromide and novobiocin resulted in an inhibition of the enzyme activity. Even at the highest doses used, UV-light, monofunctionally alkylating agents and the bisbenzimide Hoechst 33258 remained without significant effects. It is suggested that, with respect to DNA-and/or chromatin-interactive agents, the chicken embryo PARP-test may be complementary to the results of morphological and biochemical studies.