PARP-1 (p116/p25) Description
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) is a zinc-dependent DNA binding protein that recognizes DNA strand breaks. This enzyme also modifies various nuclear proteins by poly (ADP-ribosyl)ation. The modification is dependent on DNA and is involved in the regulation of various important cellular process such as differentiation, proliferation, tumor transformation and molecular events involved in the recovery of cells from DNA damage. PARP-1 has a role in repair of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) breaks. Reducing intracellular PARP-1 level or inhibiting PARP-1 activity with small molecules reduces repair of ssDNA breaks. It is reported that PARP-1 inhihitors may prove highly effective therapies for cancer, due to the high sensitivity of the tumors to the inhibitor and the lack of deleterious effects on the remaining healthy cells.