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Published on: January 31, 2018
Rapid Detection and Signaling of DNA Damage by PARP-1
1Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Abstract:
Poly(ADP-ribosyl) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is an abundant ADP-ribosyl transferase that regulates various biological processes. PARP-1 is widely recognized as a first-line responder molecule in DNA damage response (DDR). Here, we review the full cycle of detecting DNA damage by PARP-1, PARP-1 activation upon DNA binding, and PARP-1 release from a DNA break. We also discuss the allosteric consequence upon binding of PARP inhibitors (PARPi) and the opportunity to tune its release from a DNA break. It is now possible to harness this new understanding to design novel PARPi for treating diseases where cell toxicity caused by PARP-1 'trapping' on DNA is either the desired consequence or entirely counterproductive.
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