You are currently viewing the abstract.
View Full TextLog in to view the full text
AAAS login provides access to Science for AAAS members, and access to other journals in the Science family to users who have purchased individual subscriptions.
More options
Download and print this article for your personal scholarly, research, and educational use.
Buy a single issue of Science for just $15 USD.
Abstract
The integrity of the genome in higher eukaryotes, as well as the modulation of its complex structure and functions, is exquisitely regulated. This genomic regulation occurs as a function of time in a very sophisticated and elaborate biological process called cell cycle progression, resulting in cell division, and is also controlled by a highly coordinated and intricate network of molecular signaling pathways, which in turn orchestrate very specific macromolecular interactions among nuclear proteins and DNA at the biochemical level. Among the latter, a prominent enzymatic cycle that is involved in maintaining the integrity of mammalian chromosomes is covalent protein-poly[adenosine diphosphate (ADP)–ribosyl]ation. The importance of this posttranslational modification is illustrated by the close cooperation between two "guardian angels" of the genome, one constitutive and one inducible protein, namely poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase–1 (PARP-1) and p53, and the integration of these pivotal signaling processes with genomic maintenance.
