Detection of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and its reaction product poly(ADP-ribose) by immunocytochemistry

Summary Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase catalyses the formation of ADP-ribose polymers covalently attached to various nuclear proteins, using NAD⁺ as substrate. The activity of this enzyme is strongly stimulated upon binding to DNA single or double strand breaks. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is an immediate cellular response to DNA damage and is thought to be involved in DNA repair, genetic recombination, apoptosis and other processes during which DNA strand breaks are formed. In recent years we and others have established cell culture systems with altered poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity. Here we describe immunocytochemistry protocols based on the use of antibodies against the DNA-binding domain of human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and against its reaction product poly(ADP-ribose). These protocols allow for the convenient mass screening of cell transfectants with overexpression of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase or of a dominant-negative mutant for this enzyme, i.e. the DNA-binding domain. In addition, the immunocytochemical detection of poly(ADP-ribose) allows screening for cells with altered enzyme activity.     

Endogenous polymers of ADP-ribose are associated with the nuclear matrix

The metabolism of nuclear polymers of ADP-ribose has been implicated in several chromatin-associated processes. However, the distribution of endogenous ADP-ribose polymers in the nucleus or within different fractions of chromatin has not been studied. Using a procedure which allowed the radiolabeling and detection of endogenous polymers of ADP-ribose, we have analyzed the nuclear distribution of these polymers in untreated cells and in cells subjected to hyperthermia, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, or both. When isolated nuclei from cells subjected to any of these conditions were digested with micrococcal nuclease such that 80% of the DNA was released, 90% of the total poly(ADP-ribose) remained with the micrococcal nuclease resistant chromatin fraction. When nuclear matrix fractions were prepared by exhaustive DNase I digestion in combination with three different salt extraction procedures (2 M NaCl, 300 mM (NH4)2SO4 or 25 mM lithium diiodosalicylate), the matrices contained less than 1% of the total nuclear DNA but 50 to 70% of the total poly(ADP-ribose). These data suggest that the nuclear matrix may be a major site of poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism.     

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase plays a differential role in DNA damage-response and cell death pathways in Trypanosoma cruzi

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a post-translational modification of proteins. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) are the enzymes responsible for poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymer metabolism and are present in most higher eukaryotes. The best understood role of PARP is the maintenance of genomic integrity either via promotion of DNA repair at low levels of genotoxic stress or via promotion of cell death at higher levels of damage. The unicellular eukaryote Trypanosoma cruzi, as opposed to humans and other organisms, has only one PARP (TcPARP) and one PARG (TcPARG). In the present study we show that under different DNA-damaging agents (H(2)O(2) or UV-C radiation) TcPARP is activated and translocated from the cytosol to the nucleus, while TcPARG always shows a nuclear localisation. Parasites in the presence of PARP or PARG inhibitors, as well as parasites over-expressing either TcPARP or TcPARG, suggested that PAR metabolism could be involved in different phases of cell growth, even in the absence of DNA damage. We also believe that we provide the first reported evidence that different proteins could be poly(ADP-ribosyl)ated in response to different stimuli, leading to different cell death pathways.     

Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) signaling network is modulated by a novel poly(ADP-ribose)-dependent pathway in the early response to DNA-damaging agents

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a post-translational modification that is instantly stimulated by DNA strand breaks creating a unique signal for the modulation of protein functions in DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint pathways. Here we report that lack of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis leads to a compromised response to DNA damage. Deficiency in poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation metabolism induces profound cellular sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents, particularly in cells deficient for the protein kinase ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM). At the biochemical level, we examined the significance of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis on the regulation of early DNA damage-induced signaling cascade initiated by ATM. Using potent PARP inhibitors and PARP-1 knock-out cells, we demonstrate a functional interplay between ATM and poly(ADP-ribose) that is important for the phosphorylation of p53, SMC1, and H2AX. For the first time, we demonstrate a functional and physical interaction between the major DSB signaling kinase, ATM and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation by PARP-1, a key enzyme of chromatin remodeling. This study suggests that poly(ADP-ribose) might serve as a DNA damage sensory molecule that is critical for early DNA damage signaling.     

Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Cleavage during Apoptosis: When and Where?

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) plays the active role of “nick sensor” during DNA repair and apoptosis, when it synthesizes ADP-ribose from NAD⁺ in the presence of DNA strand breaks. Moreover, PARP-1 becomes a target of apoptotic caspases, which originate two proteolytic fragments of 89 and 24 kDa. The precise relationship between PARP-1 activation and degradation during apoptosis is still a matter of debate. In human Hep-2 cells driven to apoptosis by actinomycin D, we have monitored PARP-1 activity by the mAb 10H, which is specific for the ADP-ribose polymers, and we have observed that poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis is a very early response to the apoptotic stimulus. The analysis of the presence and fate of the p89 proteolytic fragment revealed that PARP-1 proteolysis by caspases is concomitant with poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis and that p89 migrates from the nucleus into the cytoplasm in late apoptotic cells with advanced nuclear fragmentation.     

Changes in poly(ADP-ribose) level modulate the kinetics of DNA strand break rejoining

ADP-ribose polymers are rapidly synthesized in cell nuclei by the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases PARP-1 and PARP-2 in response to DNA strand interruptions, using NAD(+) as precursor. The level of induced poly(ADP-ribose) formation is proportional to the level of DNA damage and can be decreased by NAD(+) or PARP deficiency, followed by poor DNA repair and genomic instability. Here we studied the correlation between poly(ADP-ribose) level and DNA strand break repair in lymphoblastoid Raji cells. Poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis was induced by 100 microM H(2)O(2) and intensified by the 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative AV-153. The level of poly(ADP-ribose) in individual cells was analyzed by quantitative in situ immunofluorescence and confirmed in whole-cell extracts by Western blotting, and DNA damage was assessed by alkaline comet assays. Cells showed a approximately 100-fold increase in poly(ADP-ribose) formation during the first 5 min of recovery from H(2)O(2) treatment, followed by a gradual decrease up to 15 min. This synthesis was completely inhibited by the PARP inhibitor NU1025 (100 microM) while the cells treated with AV-153, at non-genotoxic concentrations of 1 nM-10 microM, showed a concentration-dependent increase of poly(ADP-ribose) level up to 130% after the first minute of recovery. The transient increase in poly(ADP-ribose) level was strongly correlated with the speed and efficiency of DNA strand break rejoining (correlation coefficient r > or = 0.92, p<0.05). These results are consistent with the idea that poly(ADP-ribose) formation immediately after genome damage reflects rapid assembly and efficient functioning of repair machinery.     

Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation by overexpressing the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase DNA-binding domain in mammalian cells

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase specifically recognizes DNA strand breaks by its DNA-binding domain. DNA binding activates the enzyme to catalyze the formation of poly(ADP-ribose) utilizing NAD as substrate. By a molecular genetic approach we set out to inhibit this enzyme activity in a highly specific manner, thus avoiding the inherent side effects of NAD analogs which have been used extensively as enzyme inhibitors. cDNA sequences coding for the human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase DNA-binding domain were subcloned into eucaryotic expression plasmids and transiently transfected into monkey cells. Cells were fixed with ethanol followed by incubation with NAD. Indirect double immunofluorescence to detect both overexpressed protein and poly(ADP-ribose) in situ revealed that overexpression of the DNA-binding domain greatly inhibited poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation catalyzed by the resident enzyme during NAD postincubation. The same inhibition was observed when transfected cells were treated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine to induce DNA strand breaks in vivo and subjected to trichloroacetic acid/ethanol fixation and subsequent immunofluorescence analysis, a novel method we developed for the in situ detection of polymer synthesis in intact cells. This molecular genetic approach may prove to be a selective and efficient tool to investigate possible functions of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in living cells.     

PARP-2, A novel mammalian DNA damage-dependent poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase.

Poly(ADP-ribosylation) is a post-translational modification of nuclear proteins in response to DNA damage that activates the base excision repair machinery. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase which we will now call PARP-1, has been the only known enzyme of this type for over 30 years. Here, we describe a cDNA encoding a 62-kDa protein that shares considerable homology with the catalytic domain of PARP-1 and also contains a basic DNA-binding domain. We propose to call this enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 2 (PARP-2). The PARP-2 gene maps to chromosome 14C1 and 14q11.2 in mouse and human, respectively. Purified recombinant mouse PARP-2 is a damaged DNA-binding protein in vitro and catalyzes the formation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymers in a DNA-dependent manner. PARP-2 displays automodification properties similar to PARP-1. The protein is localized in the nucleus in vivo and may account for the residual poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis observed in PARP-1-deficient cells, treated with alkylating agents or hydrogen peroxide.     

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of proteins and germ cell development in hyperthyroid rat testes

The effect of increased serum levels of thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine, T3) on young rat testis spermatogenesis was studied by analysing molecular and morphological parameters. Hyperthyroidism was induced by either T3-treatment or 2- and 10-day cold exposure. The poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of proteins catalysed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, which is particularly active at specific stages of rat spermatogenesis, was analysed as molecular index of DNA damage and cell stress. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity rose after both T3-treatment and 2- and 10-day cold exposure, with a trend of 10-day cold-exposed rats towards control values. In all hyperthyroid rats poly(ADP-ribose) turnover, as a contribution of both poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase), was enhanced with respect to euthyroid animals. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of proteins occurred with long and branched polymers suggesting an increased involvement of the modification system in DNA repair. Morphological changes of germ tissue were observed in hyperthyroid rats, mainly a high reduction of mature cells in the seminiferous tubule, and evidence of germ cell apoptosis was obtained by TUNEL method. In control animals germ cell apoptosis was within physiological levels. Conversely, in hyperthyroid rats a dramatic increase in the number of TUNEL-positive cells (some spermatogonia and numerous primary spermatocytes) was found, even though the increase was lower in 10-day than in 2-day cold-exposed animals.     

Histone shuttling by poly ADP-ribosylation

The enzymes poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase and poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase may cooperate to drive a histone shuttle mechanism in chromatin. The mechanism is triggered by binding of the N-terminal zinc-finger domain of the polymerase to DNA strand breaks, which activates the catalytic activities residing in the C-terminal domain. The polymerase converts into a protein carrying multiple ADP-ribose polymers which displace histones from DNA by specifically targeting the histone tails responsible for DNA condensation. As a result, the domains surrounding DNA strand breaks become accessible to other proteins. Poly(ADP0ribose) glycohydrolase attacks ADP-ribose polymers in a specific order and thereby releases histones for reassociation with DNA. Increasing evidence from different model systems suggests that histone shuttling participates in DNA repairin vivo as a catalyst for nucleosomal unfolding.     

Evidence of poly(ADP-ribosylation) in the cockroach Periplaneta americana

Poly(ADP-ribosylation) is a post-translational modification of nuclear proteins typical of most eukaryotic cells. This process participates in DNA replication and repair and is mainly regulated by two enzymes, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, which is responsible for the synthesis of polymers of ADP-ribose, and poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase, which performs polymer degradation. The aim of this work was to investigate in the cockroach Periplaneta americana L. (Blattaria: Blattidae) the behaviour of poly(ADP-ribosylation). In particular, we addressed: (i) the possible modulation of poly(ADP-ribosylation) during the embryonic development; (ii) the expression of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and glycohydrolase in different tissues; and (iii) the role of poly(ADP-ribosylation) during spermatogenesis. In this work we demonstrated that: (i) as revealed by specific biochemical assays, active poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and glycohydrolase are present exclusively in P. americana embryos at early stages of development; (ii) an activity carrying out poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis was found in extracts from testes; and (iii) the synthesis of poly(ADP-ribose) occurs preferentially in differentiating spermatids/spermatozoa. Collectively, our results indicate that the poly(ADP-ribosylation) process in P. americana, which is a hemimetabolous insect, displays catalytical and structural features similar to those described in the holometabolous insects and in mammalian cells. Furthermore, this process appears to be modulated during embryonic development and spermatogenesis.     

Altered DNA damage response in Caenorhabditis elegans with impaired poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolases genes expression

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is one of the first cellular responses induced by DNA damage. Poly(ADP-ribose) is rapidly synthesized by nick-sensor poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, which facilitate DNA repair enzymes to process DNA damage. ADP-ribose polymers are rapidly catabolized into free ADP-ribose units by poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG). The metabolism of poly(ADP-ribose) is a well-defined biochemical process for which a physiological role in animals is just beginning to emerge. Two Caenorhabditis elegans PARGs, PME-3 and PME-4, have been cloned by our group. The pme-3 gene encodes an enzyme of 89kDa having less than 18% overall identity with human PARG but 42% identity with the PARG signature motif. The pme-4 gene codes for a PARG of 55kDa with approximately 22% overall identity with human PARG and 40% identity with the PARG signature motif. Two alternatively spliced forms of PME-3 were identified with an SL1 splice leader on both forms of the mRNA and were found to be expressed throughout the worm's life cycle. Similarly, pme-4 was shown to be expressed in all developmental stages of the worm. Recombinant enzymes that were expressed in bacteria displayed a PARG activity that may partly account for the PARG activity measured in the total worm extract. Reporter gene analysis of pme-3 and pme-4 using a GFP fusion construct showed that pme-3 and pme-4 are mainly expressed in nerve cells. PME-3 was shown to be nuclear while PME-4 localized to the cytoplasm. Worms with pme-3 and pme-4 expression knocked-down by RNAi showed a significant sensitivity toward ionizing radiations. Taken together, these data provide evidence for a physiological role for PARGs in DNA damage response and survival. It also shows that PARGs are evolutionarily conserved enzymes and that they are part of an ancient cellular response to DNA damage.     

Differential poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism in repair-proficient and repair-deficient murine lymphoma cells

The UV254nm-sensitive, tumorigenic murine lymphoma cell line LY-R undergoes spontaneous conversion into a UV254nm-resistant, non-tumorigenic LY-S subline after prolonged culture in vitro. Here we describe that this conversion leads to distinct changes in several features of intranuclear ADP-ribose polymer metabolism, which may contribute to the altered processing of DNA damage in these cells. The UV254nm-resistant LY-S cells contain 3-fold higher levels of ADP-ribose polymers than LY-R cells. The initial catabolic rate of degradation of these polymers is more than 6-fold higher in LY-S cells. UV254nm irradiation raises the catabolic rates of ADP-ribose polymers in both cell lines. As a consequence, the polymer half-lives decrease from 15 min to 4 min in LY-S cells, and from 96 min to 19 min in LY-R cells. In addition, the rapidly turning over fraction of polymers is much larger in the UV254nm-resistant LY-S cells. These data suggest that the catabolism of poly(ADP-ribose) may be an important factor in the biological expression of DNA damage.     

Poly(ADP-ribose) binds to specific domains in DNA damage checkpoint proteins

Poly(ADP-ribose) is formed in possibly all multicellular organisms by a familiy of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs). PARP-1, the best understood and until recently the only known member of this family, is a DNA damage signal protein catalyzing its automodification with multiple, variably sized ADP-ribose polymers that may contain up to 200 residues and several branching points. Through these polymers, PARP-1 can interact noncovalently with other proteins and alter their functions. Here we report the discovery of a poly(ADP-ribose)-binding sequence motif in several important DNA damage checkpoint proteins. The 20-amino acid motif contains two conserved regions: (i) a cluster rich in basic amino acids and (ii) a pattern of hydrophobic amino acids interspersed with basic residues. Using a combination of alanine scanning, polymer blot analysis, and photoaffinity labeling, we have identified poly(ADP-ribose)-binding sites in the following proteins: p53, p21(CIP1/WAF1), xeroderma pigmentosum group A complementing protein, MSH6, DNA ligase III, XRCC1, DNA polymerase epsilon, DNA-PK(CS), Ku70, NF-kappaB, inducible nitric-oxide synthase, caspase-activated DNase, and telomerase. The poly(ADP-ribose)-binding motif was found to overlap with five important functional domains responsible for (i) protein-protein interactions, (ii) DNA binding, (iii) nuclear localization, (iv) nuclear export, and (v) protein degradation. Thus, PARPs may target specific signal network proteins via poly(ADP-ribose) and regulate their domain functions.     

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation affects stabilization of Che-1 protein in response to DNA damage

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) catalyzes a post-translational modification that plays a crucial role in coordinating the signalling cascade in response to stress stimuli. During the DNA damage response, phosphorylation by ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase and checkpoint kinase Chk2 induces the stabilization of Che-1 protein, which is critical for the maintenance of G2/M arrest. In this study we showed that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, beyond phosphorylation, is involved in the regulation of Che-1 stabilization following DNA damage. We demonstrated that Che-1 accumulation upon doxorubicin treatment is reduced after the inhibition of PARP activity in HCT116 cells and in PARP-1 knock-out or silenced cells. In accordance, impairment in Che-1 accumulation by PARP inhibition reduced Che-1 occupancy at p21 promoter and affected the expression of the corresponding gene. Epistasis experiments showed that the effect of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation on Che-1 stabilization is independent from ATM kinase activity. Indeed we demonstrated that Che-1 protein co-immunoprecipitates with ADP-ribose polymers and that PARP-1 directly interacts with Che-1, promoting its modification in vitro and in vivo.     

Synthesis of poly(ADP-ribose)-agarose beads: an affinity resin for studying (ADP-ribose)n-protein interactions.

Polymers of ADP-ribose bind chromatosomal histones in solution and may play a role in chromatin accessibility in vivo. We have enzymatically synthesized a poly(ADP-ribose) affinity resin to further characterize binding of nuclear proteins to ADP-ribose polymers. NAD+- and (ADP-ribose)-derivatized agarose beads were recognized as polymer acceptors by the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. This polymerase elongated the existing ligands by successive addition of exogenously available ADP-ribose residues to form polymers covalently linked to the agarose beads. Poly(ADP-ribose) formation on the beads was dependent on incubation time and the mode of ligand attachment to the agarose. The resulting poly(ADP-ribose)-derivatized agarose beads possessed polymers which closely resembled those modifying the ADP-ribose polymerase by the automodification reaction. Fractionation of rat liver nuclear lysate over the poly(ADP-ribose) resin revealed a strong affinity of H1 for ADP-ribose polymers, thereby supporting a role for poly(ADP-ribose) in chromatin functions. Poly(ADP-ribose)-agarose beads are extremely stable and will be useful not only for affinity studies, but also for mechanistic studies involving polymer elongation and catabolism.     

Poly(ADP-ribose) catabolism in mammalian cells

Poly(ADP-ribose) catabolism is a complex situation involving many proteins and DNA. We have developed anin vitro turnover system where poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism is monitored in presence of different relative amounts of two principal enzymes poly(ADP-ribose) transferase and poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase along with other proteins and DNA. Our current results reviewed here show that the quality of polymer, i.e. chain length and complexity, as well as preference for the nuclear substrate varies depending upon the availability of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase. These results are interpreted in the light of the recent data implicating poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism in DNA-repair. (Mol Cell Biochem 138: 45–52 1994)