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The chemical structure of poly(ADP-ribose) suggests not only that its modification of acceptor proteins should modify the structure and function of the acceptor proteins, but also that the poly(ADP-ribose) molecule itself should possess an intrinsic structural information that can alter cellular function(s). The localization of PARP-1 to the centrosome clearly shows that its function is not only confined to the nucleus, but plays a role also in the cytoplasm. Thus poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation should be considered an important regulatory mechanism not only in the nucleus, but in the cell at large. In this context, the interaction between nuclear and cytoplasmic events through the poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation reaction is an intriguing possibility. Understanding poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism has an important impact for unraveling fundamental biological mechanisms ranging from chromosomal instability in cancer, the morphogenesis of the tissues and the maintenance of neuronal cell functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]