PARP family members can be found spread across all domains and continue to be essential molecules from lower to higher eukaryotes. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1), newly termed ADP-ribosyltransferase D-type 1 (ARTD1), is a ubiquitously expressed ADP-ribosyltransferase (ART) enzyme involved in key cellular processes such as DNA repair and cell death. This review assesses current developments in PARP-1 biology and activation signals for PARP-1, other than conventional DNA damage activation. Moreover, many essential functions of PARP-1 still remain elusive. PARP-1 is found to be involved in a myriad of cellular events via conservation of genomic integrity, chromatin dynamics and transcriptional regulation. This article briefly focuses on its other equally important overlooked functions during growth, metabolic regulation, spermatogenesis, embryogenesis, epigenetics and differentiation. Understanding the role of PARP-1, its multidimensional regulatory mechanisms in the cell and its dysregulation resulting in diseased states, will help in harnessing its true therapeutic potential.

Background: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a co-activator of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and is also strongly activated by DNA damage. PARP has also been found to be associated with several autoimmune disorders. Vitiligo is a polygenic, multifactorial, acquired skin disorder caused due to loss of epidermal melanocytes. Among others, genetic and immunological factors are associated with vitiligo pathogenesis. Aim: To investigate the association of PARP1 exon 17 (rs1136410; V762A) and promoter CA microsatellite repeat (rs1136410) polymorphisms, and NF-κB promoter -94 indelATTG (rs28362491) polymorphism with vitiligo pathogenesis in Gujarat population. Methods: Genotyping of PARP1 17T/C (rs5030870) polymorphism was done by PCR-RFLP.PARP1 CA microsatellite and NF-κB-94 indel (rs28362491) polymorphisms were genotyped by Real-Time PCR. Anti-PARP antibody levels were assessed by ELISA. Results: The results suggested no significant difference in allele and genotype frequencies of PARP1 17 T/C (p=0.5094 and p=0.4201, respectively), PARP1 CA microsatellite polymorphisms (p=0.9519 and p=0.9338, respectively) and NF-κB-94 ATTG indel polymorphism (p=0.1482 and p=0.3784, respectively) in patients as compared to controls. Conclusion: This study suggests no association of PARP1 17 T/C, PARP1 CA microsatellite and NF-κB-94 ATTG indel polymorphisms with vitiligo susceptibility in Gujarat population. Additionally, anti-PARP1 antibody levels were not significantly different among patients and controls. These findings suggest the need for additional studies to explore the role of PARP1 in vitiligo pathogenesis. Keywords: Vitiligo, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1(PARP-1), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), polymorphisms, Autoimmunity