Theophylline reduces poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase from chick embryo liver nuclei

The effect of theophylline on poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation was investigated. The poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase activity in vitro was markedly reduced in the liver nuclei prepared from theophylline-treated chick embryo. This reduction was not due to the enzyme inhibition by theophylline contamination in the nuclear fraction. The hydroxyapatite column chromatographic analysis of ³H]adenosine-labelled poly(ADP-ribose) molecules formed in vivo revealed that the in vivo formation of poly(ADP-ribose) molecules was also decreased by theophylline administration. The theophylline-induced reduction of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis was not due to either low NAD levels or to a decrease in the chain length of the poly(ADP-ribose) molecule, rather this reduction was derived from a decrease in the number of poly(ADP-ribose) molecules. Possible mechanisms related to reduction of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis in vivo are discussed.