An immediate cellular response to DNA damage is the synthesis of poly(ADP-ribose) by the enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). This nuclear enzyme and the unique post-translational modification it catalyzes have long been considered to function exclusively in cellular surveillance of genotoxic stress. The recent identification of multiple members of a PARP family might force a revision of this concept. The novel primary structures and subcellular localizations for some of these PARPs suggests new and unexpected roles for poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in telomere replication and cellular transport.