POLY(ADP-RIBOSA)POLYMERASE - THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH LIFE SPAN AND CARCINOGENESIS
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP) is enzyme family repairing single or double DNA strand breaks induced by different alkylating agents, ionizing- or UV-irradiation as well as by oxidative stress. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is the most studied enzyme involved in a number of pathways including DNA replication and repair, recombination, gene transcription, cell proliferation and death. A positive correlation between the PARP-activity and the life span of different mammalians has been detected. PARP inhibition <i>in vitro </i>with inhibitors of PARP activity (3-aminobenzamide, nicotinamide, picolinamidee.t.c.) in cellsfrom wild typeor PARP-1<sup>-/-</sup> mice was followed by high genomic instability (i.e. aneuploidy, gene amplifications and deletions, micronuclei formation, sister chromatic exchange, cell ploidy and centrosome number increase) and increased sensitivity to mutagens. Life span reduction, latency period of spontaneous tumors development shortening and the increase in susceptibility to carcinogens have been observed in PARP-knockout mice. Treatment with PARP inhibitors stimulated chemical and radiation carcinogenesis in animals. The PARP-1<sup>-/-</sup> mice being additionally disrupted in WRN, p53, DNA-PKcs or Ku80 genes the promotion of spontaneous carcinogenesis was observed as compared with a single gene-disrupted mice. Available data suggest a significant role of PARP in maintenance of genomic stability, preventing of aging and carcinogenesis.