What Does PARP Stand For?

PARP stands for Poly ADP Ribose Polymerase

PARP, or Poly ADP Ribose Polymerase, is a family of enzymes involved in the cellular response to DNA damage. These enzymes play a crucial role in detecting single-strand breaks in DNA and facilitating the repair process by attaching poly(ADP-ribose) chains to target proteins, which helps recruit other repair proteins to the site of damage. PARP is particularly significant in the context of cancer research, as its inhibition has emerged as a therapeutic strategy for certain types of tumors, especially those with deficiencies in other DNA repair pathways, such as BRCA1/2 mutations.

Other Meanings for PARP