Yeast as a Platform to Dissect Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Function from Magnaporthe oryzae and Evaluate PARP Inhibitors

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) regulate genome maintenance through NAD⁺-dependent ADP-ribosylation, yet PARP function in fungi remains poorly defined. Here, we reconstituted the activity of the <i>Magnaporthe oryzae</i> PARP1 homolog (MoPARP1) in <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>, a genetically tractable organism that lacks endogenous PARP enzymes. Upon galactose induction, expression of MoPARP1 reduced yeast growth, whereas a catalytically inactive mutant showed no defect, indicating that the growth phenotype depends on PARP catalytic activity. Consistent with this requirement, PARylation was detected in MoPARP1-expressing yeast cells but not in the catalytic mutant. In a multidrug transporter-deficient background, the PARP inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide and the clinically used PARP inhibitor olaparib rescued the growth of MoPARP1-expressing strains, establishing a framework for inhibitor testing in vivo. Finally, MoPARP1-GFP localized to the nucleus independent of catalytic activity, supporting correct targeting in this heterologous system. Together, these findings establish yeast as a platform to dissect fungal PARP biology and evaluate chemical inhibition.