MOLECULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL FEATURES OF POLY (ADP-RIBOSE) METABOLISM

In the past five years, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation has developed greatly w ith the help of molecular biology and the improvement of biochemical t echniques. In this article, we describe the physico-chemical propertie s of the enzymes responsible for the synthesis and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose), respectively poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and poly(ADP-ri bose) glycohydrolase. We then discuss the possible roles of this polym er in DNA repair and replication as well as in cellular differentiatio n and transformation. Finally, we put forward various hypotheses in or der to better define the function of this polymer found only in eucary otes.