Mouse Chromosome 7 contains a cluster of genes encoding functional mono ADP-ribosyltransferases (ART) expressed on the surface of T cells [1]. These enzymes are capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD) into ADP-ribose and nicotinamide [2], and the transfer of the ADP-ribose moiety onto arginine residues of T-cell surface molecules associated with transmission of activation signals or with adherence [3]. One of these genes, designated Art1, was initially cloned from YAC1 cells and represents a mouse ortholog of a gene cloned from rabbit skeletal muscle [4]. A tandem duplication of another mouse Art gene tightly linked to Art1 and now designated Art 2 a and Art2 b represents mouse orthologs of the single rat gene en- Abstract Aims/hypothesis. ART2.2 is a mouse T-cell surface ectoenzyme [mono (ADP-ribosyl) transferase] shed upon strong activation. We analysed temporal changes in ART2.2 expression in unmanipulated and cyclophosphamide-treated NOD/Lt mice compared with diabetes-resistant control strains. We used NAD, the ART2.2 substrate, to test whether ARTmediated ADP-ribosylation could retard diabetogenic activation of islet-reactive T cells in vitro. Methods. ART2.2 and CD38, another NAD-utilizing enzyme, were measured by flow cytometry. ADP-ribosylation from ethano-NAD was followed by flow cytometry using a reagent specific for etheno-ADP ribose. Results. Although mature NOD CD4 + and C D8 + T cells expressed ART2.2, this expression was delayed in young NOD mice when compared with control strains. This ontological delay at 3 weeks of age correlated with an early burst of CD25 expression unique to NOD splenic T cells. This pattern was reproduced in cyclophosphamide-accelerated diabetes in young NOD/Lt males, wherein a retarded repopulation of ART2.2 T cells in spleen and islets correlated with development of heavy insulitis and diabetes. NAD inhibited anti-CD3 induced activation of splenic T cells in vitro and also retarded killing of beta-cell targets by NOD islet-reactive CD8 effectors in vitro at concentrations equal to or greater than 1 mmol/l. Evidence suggested that CD38 on B lymphocytes competes with ART2.2 for substrate needed by B lymphocytes for ADP ribosylation. Conclusions. ART2.2 on T cells may not simply mark the resting state, but could also contribute to it via ADP-ribosylation. [Diabetologia (2001) 44: 848±858]