Poly(ADP-ribosylation) is a method of DNA damage-dependent posttranslational modification that helps to rescue injured proliferating cells from cell death. The PARP (poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase) proteins comprise a superfamily of enzymes that functionally modify histones and other nuclear proteins, thereby preventing cell death. PARPs use NAD+ as a substrate to catalytically transfer ADP-ribose residues onto protein acceptors; a process that, when repeated multiple times, leads to the formation of poly(ADPribose) chains on the protein. The presence of these chains alters the function of the target protein and promotes cell survival. PARP proteins are implicated in a variety of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative and inflammatory disorders. PARP-16 is a 322 amino acid poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase protein localized to the membrane. Expressed as three isoforms produced by alternative splicing, PARP-16 contains one PARP catalytic domain.
