Mitochondrial poly(ADP‐ribosylation): from old data to new perspectives

Abstract

Poly(AD‐‐ribosylation) is involved in DNA repair and replication, transcription, and cell death. For a long time, only one poly(AD‐‐ribosylating) enzyme was known, named ADPRT/PARP (EC 2.4.2.30). The recent discovery of a family of PARPs has provided a high degree of complexity in the field. Moreover, the finding that poly(AD‐‐ribosylation) is not confined to the nucleus but is also carried out by cytoplasmic enzymes supports the idea that it could regulate proteins localized in different cellular compartments. In this respect, a reappraisal of the literature on mitochondrial poly(AD‐‐ribosylation) could be useful, as well as a discussion of its relevance regarding the current “hot” view of poly(AD‐‐ribosylation) as a mediator of cell death.—Scovassi, A. I. Mitochondrial poly(AD‐‐ribosylation): from old data to new perspectives. FASEB J 18, 1487–1488 (2004)