CGC Bibliography Paper 5600

The genes pme-1 and pme-2 encode two poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Gagnon SN, Hengartner MO, Desnoyers S

Medline:
12145714
Citation:
Biochemical Journal 368: 263-271 2002
Type:
ARTICLE
Genes:
pme-1 pme-2 pme-3 pme-4 pme-5 pme-6
Abstract:
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) are an expanding, well-conserved family of enzymes found in many metazoan species, including plants. The enzyme catalyses poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, a post-translational modification that is important in DNA repair and programmed cell death. In the present study, we report the finding of an endogenous source of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in total extracts of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Two cDNAs encoding highly similar proteins to human PARP-I (huPARP-1) and huPARP-2 are described, and we propose to name the corresponding enzymes poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism enzyme I (PME-1) and PME-2 respectively. PME-1 (108 kDa) shares 31 % identity with huPARP-1 and has an overall structure similar to other PARP-I subfamily members. It contains sequences having considerable similarity to zinc-finger motifs I and 11, as well as with the catalytic domain of huPARP-1. PME-2 (61 kDa) has structural similarities with the catalytic domain of PARPs in general and shares 24% identity with huPARP-2. Recombinant PME-1 and PME-2 display PARP activity, which may partially account for the similar activity found in the worm. A partial duplication of the pme-1 gene with pseudogene-like features was found in the nematode genome. Messenger RNA for pme-1 are 5'-tagged with splice leader 1, whereas those for pme-2 are tagged with splice leader 2, suggesting an operon-like expression for pme-2. The express ion pattern of pme-1 and pme-2 is also developmentally regulated. Together, these results show that PARP-1 and -2 are conserved in evolution and must have important functions in multicellular organisms. We propose using C. elegans as a model to understand better the