Detection of the Nuclear Poly(ADP-ribose)-Metabolizing Enzymes and Activities in Response to DNA Damage

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a posttranslational modification of proteins in higher eukaryotes mediated by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) that is involved in many physiological processes such as DNA repair, transcription, cell division, and cell death. Biochemical studies together with PARP-1- or PARP-2-deficient cellular and animal models have revealed the redundant but also complementary functions of the two enzymes in the surveillance and maintenance of genome integrity. Poly(ADP-ribose) is degraded by the endo- and exo-glycosidase activities of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG). In this chapter, biochemical and immunofluorescence methods are described for detecting and assaying PARPs and PARG.