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Unusual levels of (ADP-ribose)n and DNA synthesis in ataxia telangiectasia cells following γ-ray irradiation

Nature volume 287, pages 745–747 (1980)Cite this article

Abstract

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase is a eukaryotic chromosomal enzyme which utilizes the ADP-ribose moiety of NAD to synthesize the nucleic acid homopolymer (ADP-ribose)n (ref. 1). The precise function of (ADP-ribose)n has not been fully established although it does covalently modify chromosomal proteins by ADP-ribosylation2,3. Here we demonstrate that γ-ray irradiation of lymphoblastoid cells from normal subjects results in depressed DNA synthesis and increased (ADP-ribose)n synthesis. Irradiation of lymphoblastoid cells from patients with the autosomal recessive disease ataxia telangiectasia (AT), however, failed to depress DNA synthesis and did not elevate (ADP-ribose)n levels. We have confirmed that (ADP-ribose)n is synthesized in response to DNA damage and we propose that this polymer may function in the recovery from DNA damage by suppressing DNA synthesis.

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  1. Department of Cancer Studies, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TJ, UK

    Malcolm J. Edwards & A. M. R. Taylor

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  1. Malcolm J. Edwards
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  2. A. M. R. Taylor
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Edwards, M., Taylor, A. Unusual levels of (ADP-ribose)n and DNA synthesis in ataxia telangiectasia cells following γ-ray irradiation. Nature 287, 745–747 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/287745a0

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