Role of apd-ribosylation in bone health and disease

The transfer of adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose unit(s) from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to acceptor proteins is known as ADP-ribosylation. This post-translational modification (PTM) unavoidably alters protein functions and signaling networks, thereby impacting cell behaviors and tissue outcomes. As a ubiquitous mechanism, ADP-ribosylation affects multiple tissues, including bones, as abnormal ADP-ribosylation compromises bone development and remodeling. In this review, we describe the effects of ADP-ribosylation in bone development and maintenance, and highlight the underlying mechanisms.