Dynamics of the HD regulatory subdomain of PARP-1; substrate access and allostery in PARP activation and inhibition.

PARP-1 is a key early responder to DNA damage in eukaryotic cells. An allosteric mechanism links initial sensing of DNA single-strand breaks by PARP-1's F1 and F2 domains via a process of further domain assembly to activation of the catalytic domain (CAT); synthesis and attachment of poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) chains to protein sidechains then signals for assembly of DNA repair components. A key component in transmission of the allosteric signal is the HD subdomain of CAT, which alone bridges between the assembled DNA-binding domains and the active site in the ART subdomain of CAT. Here we present a study of isolated CAT domain from human PARP-1, using NMR-based dynamics experiments to analyse WT apo-protein as well as a set of inhibitor complexes (with veliparib, olaparib, talazoparib and EB-47) and point mutants (L713F, L765A and L765F), together with new crystal structures of the free CAT domain and inhibitor complexes. Variations in both dynamics and structures amongst these species point to a model for full-length PARP-1 activation where first DNA binding and then substrate interaction successively destabilise the folded structure of the HD subdomain to the point where its steric blockade of the active site is released and PAR synthesis can proceed.

Fluorescent sensors of PARP-1 structural dynamics and allosteric regulation in response to DNA damage.

Poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) is a posttranslational modification predominantly synthesized by PAR polymerase-1 (PARP-1) in genome maintenance. PARP-1 detects DNA damage, and damage detection is coupled to a massive increase PAR production, primarily attached to PARP-1 (automodification). Automodified PARP-1 then recruits repair factors to DNA damage sites. PARP-1 automodification eventually leads to release from DNA damage thus turning off catalytic activity, although the effects of PAR on PARP-1 structure are poorly understood. The multiple domains of PARP-1 are organized upon detecting DNA damage, creating a network of domain contacts that imposes a major conformational transition in the catalytic domain that increases PAR production. Presented here are two novel fluorescent sensors that monitor the global and local structural transitions of PARP-1 that are associated with DNA damage detection and catalytic activation. These sensors display real-time monitoring of PARP-1 structural transitions upon DNA damage detection, and their reversal upon PARP-1 automodification. The fluorescent sensors are further used to investigate intramolecular and intermolecular PARP-1 activation, followed by the observation that intramolecular activation of PARP-1 is the predominant response to DNA strand breaks in cells. These results provide a unique perspective on the interplay between PARP-1 DNA damage recognition, allosteric regulation, and catalytic activity.