The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide had dramatically different effects on X-ray-induced cytogenetic damage in human lymphocytes depending on the stage of the cell cycle in which cells were irradiated. 3-Aminobenzamide (0.08-3.00 mM) potentiated the frequency of chromosomal aberrations when lymphocytes were irradiated in G1, S, or late G2. No effect was observed, however, when lymphocytes were irradiated in G0 or at the S/G2 boundary 6 h before termination of culture. These results indicate that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase may be involved in chromosomal repair of radiation damage only during specific stages of the cell cycle.