3-Aminobenzamide protects primary human keratinocytes from UV-induced cell death by a poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation independent mechanism

► The weak PARP inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (3AB) protected cells from phototoxicity. ► 3AB prevented both apoptosis and necrosis. ► Specific PARP inhibitors or PARP-1 silencing sensitized cells to phototoxicity. ► The protective effect of 3AB is not due to PARP inhibition.