Cell type dependent activation of poly (ADP-ribose) synthesis following treatment with etoposide.

Treatment of human non-lymphoid cell lines, HL-60 and U937, with etoposide stimulated poly (ADP-ribose) synthesis three- to fourfold, whereas no significant effects were observed in the lymphoid cell lines, Molt4 and CEM. This was confirmed by either an increased uptake of radio-labelled NAD into the acid-insoluble fraction or a fall in cellular NAD levels, which was counteracted by 3-aminobenzamide, an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. On the other hand, another DNA damaging agent, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine augmented poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis equally in both cell types. These results taken together indicate that the activation of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis following exposure to etoposide is a cell type specific phenomenon.