Non-histone chromosomal protein acceptors for poly(ADP)-ribose in phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate treated mouse embryo fibroblasts (C3H10T1/2).

The tumor promoter phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) increases the level of poly ADP-ribosylation of chromosomal proteins in mouse embryo fibroblasts C3H10T1/2. The poly ADP-ribosylated nuclear proteins fall into the following molecular weight classes: 40, 48, 61, 77, 92, 158, 200 kd. Preincubation with catalase reduced the poly ADP-ribose (ADPR) substitution of all these proteins essentially to control levels. Western blot analysis with antibody directed against ADPR transferase indicates that the major acceptors are ADP-ribose transferase (116 kd) itself and its proteolytic degradation products of 20-25, 45 and 72-95 kd. Poly ADP-ribosylation of these proteins is suppressed by cycloheximide, 3-aminobenzamide, antipain and catalase. The latter three inhibitors possess anti-promotional activities in certain in vitro cell culture systems. Auto-poly ADP-ribosylation of ADPR transferase and its proteolytic cleavage as well as the poly ADP-ribosylation of other chromosomal proteins may play a role in the modulation of gene expression by PMA.