Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is an enzyme involved in repairing DNA damage within cells. When the DNA is broken or damaged, PARP detects these issues and helps initiate repair processes by attaching small chains of molecules called poly(ADP-ribose) to itself and other proteins. This action signals and mobilizes the cell's repair machinery to fix the damage. PARP plays a crucial role in maintaining cell health, especially in preventing mutations and genomic instability. Because of its role in DNA repair, PARP inhibitors are used in cancer treatments, particularly for cancers with defective DNA repair pathways.