The role of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in DNA damage response and cancer chemotherapy

Oncogene. 2015 Jun;34(26):3349-56. doi: 10.1038/onc.2014.295. Epub 2014 Sep 15.

Abstract

DNA damage is a deleterious threat, but occurs daily in all types of cells. In response to DNA damage, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, a unique post-translational modification, is immediately catalyzed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) at DNA lesions, which facilitates DNA damage repair. Recent studies suggest that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is one of the first steps of cellular DNA damage response and governs early DNA damage response pathways. Suppression of DNA damage-induced poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation by PARP inhibitors impairs early DNA damage response events. Moreover, PARP inhibitors are emerging as anti-cancer drugs in phase III clinical trials for BRCA-deficient tumors. In this review, we discuss recent findings on poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in DNA damage response as well as the molecular mechanism by which PARP inhibitors selectively kill tumor cells with BRCA mutations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly / drug effects
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly / physiology
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded / drug effects
  • DNA Damage / drug effects
  • DNA Damage / physiology*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Poly Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose / metabolism*
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / metabolism*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / drug effects
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors
  • Transcription Factors
  • Poly Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases