Developmental pattern of poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase and NAD glycohydrolase in the brain of the fetal and neonatal rat.

Poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase and NAD glycohydrolase were examined in nuclear fractions from rat brain at sequential times during late fetal and the first two weeks of neonatal life. In whole brain, both enzymes were demonstrable at all stages of development, but followed separate patterns. Activity of the synthetase which was greatest in fetal life, fell steadily with fetal maturation from 3.90 +/- 0.06 nmol/mg DNA at 16 days, to reach a nadir of 1.36 +/- 0.09 nmol/mg DNA on the 4th postnatal day. Subsequently it underwent a non sustained neonatal rise reaching a peak of 2.46 +/- 0.07 nmol/mg DNA on the 8th day. By contrast, NAD glycohydrolase activity increased steadily throughout late fetal and during the first two weeks of neonatal life, from 12.77 +/- 0.40 nmol/mg DNA on day 16 of gestation to 25.80 +/- .95 nmol/mg DNA on neonatal day 12. In neonatal cerebellum the activity of poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase was greater at 8 than at 4 days, could be stimulated with graded concentrations of sonicated DNA up to 100 micrograms, but was inhibited by higher concentrations of DNA and by all concentrations of exogenous histone. In an in vitro culture system of fetal rat brain cells, the activity of poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase increased steadily over six days. Cycloheximide 10(-3) M completely inhibited the activity of this enzyme. NAD glycohydrolase activity increased progressively in vitro, and after 6 days in cycloheximide (10(-3) M), the cultures contained significantly greater levels of enzyme activity. It is suggested that changing activities of poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase and NAD glycohydrolase could both provide potential markers for brain cell differentiation in this system.