Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a survival mechanism in cigarette smoke-induced and hydrogen peroxide-mediated cell death

► Cigarette smoke (CS) stimulates poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) cycles in A549 cells. ► PARP-1 is the key PARP enzyme activated by CS. ► Superoxide and hydrogen peroxide are responsible for CS-induced PAR synthesis. ► Poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) rapidly degrades PAR after CS extract exposure. ► Both PARP-1 and PARG promote DNA repair and survival after CS exposure.