ADP-ribosyltransferase activity in cultured hepatocytes. Interactions with DNA repair

A rapid increase in ADP-ribosyltransferase activity was observed when freshly isolated hepatocytes derived from adult rats were established in primary monolayer culture. (ADP-ribose)n-degrading activity remained constant over a period of 48 h of culture. Inhibition of ADP-ribosyltransferase activity with pyridine derivatives, 3-aminobenzamide, theophylline, or thymidine, was accompanied by an enhanced DNA repair synthesis in response to the direct-acting carcinogen, methyl methanesulfonate, or UV irradiation. Three aminobenzamides differing only in the position of the amino group exhibited the same structure-activity relationship in regard to their action on DNA repair synthesis and ADP-ribosyltransferase. Spermine treatment of hepatocytes apparently had an inverse effect on both these cellular functions. The removal of DNA strand breaks following methyl methanesulfonate treatment was accelerated by inhibitors of ADP-ribosyltransferase. The results suggest that ADP-ribosylation interacts with late stages in the process of DNA repair. This interaction apparently is dependent on the nature of damage imposed on chromatin since repair synthesis in response to a number of carcinogens is unaffected by inhibitors of ADP-ribosyltransferase.