SUMO: a history of modification

Modification of Drosophila p53 by SUMO modulates its transactivation and pro-apoptotic functions

Conjugation to SUMO is a reversible post-translational modification that regulates several transcription factors involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and disease. The p53 tumor suppressor can be modified by SUMO-1 in mammalian cells, but the functional consequences of this modification are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the Drosophila homolog of human p53 can be efficiently sumoylated in insect cells. We identify two lysine residues involved in SUMO attachment, one at the C terminus, between the DNA binding and oligomerization domains, and one at the N terminus of the protein. We find that sumoylation helps recruit Drosophila p53 to nuclear dot-like structures that can be marked by human PML and the Drosophila homologue of Daxx. We demonstrate that mutation of both sumoylation sites dramatically reduces the transcriptional activity of p53 and its ability to induce apoptosis in transgenic flies, providing in vivo evidence that sumoylation is critical for Drosophila p53 function.

SUMO-1 transiently localizes to Cajal bodies in mammalian neurons

Cajal bodies (CBs) are nuclear organelles involved in the maturation of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins required for the processing of pre-mRNAs. They concentrate coilin, splicing factors and the survival of motor neuron protein (SMN). By using immunocytochemistry and transfection experiments with GFP-SUMO-1, DsRed1-Ubc9, GFP-coilin and GFP-SMN constructs we demonstrate the presence of SUMO-1 and the SUMO conjugating enzyme (Ubc9) in a subset of CBs in undifferentiated neuron-like UR61 cells. Furthermore, SUMO-1 is transiently localized into neuronal CBs from adult nervous tissue in response to osmotic stress or inhibition of methyltransferase activity. SUMO-1-positive CBs contain coilin, SMN and small nuclear ribonucleoproteins, suggesting that they are functional CBs involved in pre-mRNA processing. Since coilin and SMN have several putative motifs of SUMO-1 modification, we suggest that the sumoylation of coilin and/or SMN might play a role in the molecular reorganization of CBs during the neuronal differentiation or stress-response.

Quantitative analysis of multi-protein interactions using FRET: application to the SUMO pathway

Protein-protein binding and signaling pathways are important fields of biomedical science. Here we report simple optical methods for the determination of the equilibrium binding constant K(d) of protein-protein interactions as well as quantitative studies of biochemical cascades. The techniques are based on steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between ECFP and Venus-YFP fused to proteins of the SUMO family. Using FRET has several advantages over conventional free-solution techniques such as isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC): Concentrations are determined accurately by absorbance, highly sensitive binding signals enable the analysis of small quantities, and assays are compatible with multi-well plate format. Most importantly, our FRET-based techniques enable us to measure the effect of other molecules on the binding of two proteins of interest, which is not straightforward with other approaches. These assays provide powerful tools for the study of competitive biochemical cascades and the extent to which drug candidates modify protein interactions.

Transient focal cerebral ischemia induces a dramatic activation of small ubiquitin-like modifier conjugation

This study was designed to investigate whether small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) conjugation is activated after focal cerebral ischemia. Transient ischemia induced a dramatic increase in SUMO2/3 protein conjugates. The most pronounced changes were found in the parietal cortex. SUMO2/3 conjugation was particularly high in neurons located at the border of the middle cerebral artery territory where sumoylated proteins translocated to the nucleus. Considering the marked effect of SUMO conjugation on the function of target proteins, it is very likely that the postischemic activation of sumoylation has a significant effect on the fate of neurons exposed to transient ischemia.

Ubc9 promotes the stability of Smad4 and the nuclear accumulation of Smad1 in osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play important roles in osteoblast differentiation and maturation. In mammals, the BMP-induced receptor-regulated Smads form complexes with Smad4. These complexes translocate and accumulate within the nucleus, where they regulate the transcription of various target genes. However, the function of Smad4 remains unclear. We performed a yeast two-hybrid screen using Smad4 as bait and a cDNA library derived from human bone marrow to identify the proteins interacting with Smad4. Two full-length cDNA clones for Ubc9 were identified, and the potential functions of Ubc9 were investigated. To determine the role of Ubc9 in the BMP signaling pathway, the endogenous transcription of Ubc9 in the human osteoblast cell line Saos-2 was silenced using siRNA. The expression of BMP-induced transcription factors, including Runx2, Dlx5, Msx2, and Osterix, was examined using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the protein expression of Smad4, Smad1, phosphorylated Smad1, and BMP type I receptors was determined by Western blotting. The subcellular localization of Smad1 and Smad4 was observed using immunofluorescence staining after Ubc9 silencing. To determine whether Smad4 is sumoylated in vitro, recombinant Smad4 was purified and sumoylated Smad4 was visualized using Western blotting. The mRNA expression of various transcription factors was markedly inhibited after Ubc9 silencing. The protein levels of Smad4 and phosphorylated Smad1 decreased in a dose-dependent manner according to the amount of siRNA applied. Gene silencing also decreased the nuclear accumulation of Smad1 and Smad4. The sumoylation assay showed that sumoylated Smad4 is present and dependent on Ubc9 in vitro, which was confirmed by pretreatment with Senp2, a SUMO-protease. These results suggest that Ubc9 promotes the stability of sumoylated Smad4. Furthermore, the expression of key transcription factors, phosphorylated Smad1 protein, and the nuclear accumulation of Smad1 and Smad4 are inhibited by Ubc9 silencing. Thus, Ubc9 plays an important role in the up-regulation of the BMP signaling pathway.

Conjugation of human topoisomerase 2 alpha with small ubiquitin-like modifiers 2/3 in response to topoisomerase inhibitors: cell cycle stage and chromosome domain specificity

Type 2 topoisomerases, in particular the alpha isoform in human cells, play a key role in cohesion and sister chromatid separation during mitosis. These enzymes are thus vital for cycling cells and are obvious targets in cancer chemotherapy. Evidence obtained in yeast and Xenopus model systems indicates that conjugation of topoisomerase 2 with small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins is required for its mitotic functions. Here, we provide biochemical and cytologic evidence that topoisomerase 2 alpha is conjugated to SUMO-2/3 during interphase and mitosis in response to topoisomerase 2 inhibitors and "poisons" (ICRF-187, etoposide, doxorubicin) that stabilize catalytic intermediates (cleavage complexes, closed clamp forms) of the enzyme onto target DNA. During mitosis, SUMO-2/3-modified forms of topoisomerase 2 alpha localize to centromeres and chromosome cores/axes. However, centromeres are unresponsive to inhibitors during interphase. Furthermore, formation of topoisomerase 2 alpha-SUMO-2/3 conjugates within mitotic chromosomes strongly correlates with incomplete chromatid decatenation and decreases progressively as cells approach the metaphase-anaphase transition. We also found that the PIASy protein, an E3 ligase for SUMO proteins, colocalizes with SUMO-2/3 at the mitotic chromosomal cores/axes and is necessary for both formation of SUMO-2/3 conjugates and proper chromatid segregation. We suggest that the efficacy of topoisomerase inhibitors to arrest cells traversing mitosis may relate to their targeting of topoisomerase 2 alpha-SUMO-2/3 conjugates that concentrate at mitotic chromosome axes and are directly involved in chromatid arm separation.

Sumoylation differentially regulates Goosecoid-mediated transcriptional repression

Goosecoid (Gsc), a paired-like homeobox gene expressed in the vertebrate organizer, functions as a transcriptional repressor either by direct DNA binding to paired TAAT homeodomain sites or through recruitment by the forkhead/winged helix transcription factor Foxh1. Here, we report that Gsc is post-translationally modified by small ubiquitin-like modifier proteins (SUMO). Members of the PIAS family of proteins enhance Gsc sumoylation and this modification occurs on at least six lysine residues. Stable expression of a SUMO-defective Gsc mutant (Gsc 6Km) in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells results in morphological changes giving rise to cells with increased cell area. We demonstrate that Gsc 6Km can effectively repress Foxh1-mediated induction of the Mixl1 promoter, indicating that sumoylation is not required for Gsc-mediated repression of promoters where recruitment occurs through Foxh1. In contrast, Gsc 6Km exhibits a decreased ability to repress the induction of promoters to which it is directly recruited through paired-homeodomain binding sites, including its own promoter and that of the Xenopus Brachyury gene. Taken together, our data suggests that regulation of Gsc repressive activity by SUMO modification is promoter specific and may serve to differentially regulate genes that function to control cell morphology during early development and cancer.

RNF4 is a poly-SUMO-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase required for arsenic-induced PML degradation

In acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL), the promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) protein is fused to the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR). This disease can be treated effectively with arsenic, which induces PML modification by small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO) and proteasomal degradation. Here we demonstrate that the RING-domain-containing ubiquitin E3 ligase, RNF4 (also known as SNURF), targets poly-SUMO-modified proteins for degradation mediated by ubiquitin. RNF4 depletion or proteasome inhibition led to accumulation of mixed, polyubiquitinated, poly-SUMO chains. PML protein accumulated in RNF4-depleted cells and was ubiquitinated by RNF4 in a SUMO-dependent fashion in vitro. In the absence of RNF4, arsenic failed to induce degradation of PML and SUMO-modified PML accumulated in the nucleus. These results demonstrate that poly-SUMO chains can act as discrete signals from mono-SUMOylation, in this case targeting a poly-SUMOylated substrate for ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis.

SUMO conjugation to the matrix attachment region-binding protein, special AT-rich sequence-binding protein-1 (SATB1), targets SATB1 to promyelocytic nuclear bodies where it undergoes caspase cleavage

SATB1 (special AT-rich sequence-binding protein-1) provides a key link between DNA loop organization, chromatin modification/remodeling, and association of transcription factors at matrix attachment regions (MARs). To investigate the role of SATB1 in cellular events, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen that identified SUMO-1, Ubc9, and protein inhibitor of activated STAT (PIAS) family members as SATB1 interaction partners. These proteins, working in concert, enhanced SUMO conjugation to lysine-744 of SATB1. Overexpression of SUMO or PIAS in Jurkat cells, which express high levels of endogenous SATB1, exhibited enhanced caspase cleavage of this MAR-associating protein. Sumoylation-deficient SATB1 (SATB1(K744R)) failed to display the characteristic caspase cleavage pattern; however, fusion of SUMO in-frame to SATB1(K744R) restored cleavage. A SUMO-independent interaction of inactive caspase-6 and SATB1 was noted. A subset of total cellular SATB1 localized into promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies where enhanced SATB1 cleavage was detected subsequent to caspase activation. These results reveal a novel sumoylation-directed caspase cleavage of this key regulatory molecule. The role of regulated proteolysis of SATB1 may be to control transcription in immune cells during normal cell functions or to assist in efficient and rapid clearance of nonfunctional or potentially damaging immune cells.

Sumoylation regulates multiple aspects of mammalian poly(A) polymerase function

The addition of the poly(A) tail to the ends of eukaryotic mRNAs is catalyzed by poly(A) polymerase (PAP). PAP activity is known to be highly regulated, for example, by alternative splicing and phosphorylation. In this study we show that the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) plays multiple roles in regulating PAP function. Our discovery of SUMO-conjugated PAP began with the observation of a striking pattern of abundant higher-molecular-weight forms of PAP in certain mouse tissues and cell lines. PAP constitutes an unusual SUMO substrate in that, despite the absence of any consensus sumoylation sites, PAP interacts very strongly with the SUMO E2 enzyme ubc9 and can be extensively sumoylated both in vitro and in vivo. Six sites of sumoylation in PAP were identified, with two overlapping one of two nuclear localization signals (NLS). Strikingly, mutation of the two lysines at the NLS to arginines, or coexpression of a SUMO protease with wild-type PAP, caused PAP to be localized to the cytoplasm, demonstrating that sumoylation is required to facilitate PAP nuclear localization. Sumoylation also contributes to PAP stability, as down-regulation of sumoylation led to decreases in PAP levels. Finally, the activity of purified PAP was shown to be inhibited by in vitro sumoylation. Our study thus shows that SUMO regulates PAP in numerous distinct ways and is integral to normal PAP function.

Cerebral ischemia/stroke and small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) conjugation--a new target for therapeutic intervention?

Transient cerebral ischemia/stroke activates various post-translational protein modifications such as phosphorylation and ubiquitin conjugation that are believed to play a major role in the pathological process triggered by an interruption of blood supply and culminating in cell death. A new system of post-translational protein modification has been identified, termed as small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) conjugation. Like ubiquitin, SUMO is conjugated to the lysine residue of target proteins in a complex process. This review summarizes observations from recent experiments focusing on the effect of cerebral ischemia on SUMO conjugation. Transient global and focal cerebral ischemia both induced a rapid, dramatic and long-lasting rise in levels of SUMO2/3 conjugation. After transient focal cerebral ischemia, SUMO conjugation was particularly prominent in neurons located at the border of the ischemic territory where SUMO-conjugated proteins translocated to the nucleus. Many SUMO conjugation target proteins are transcription factors and sumoylation has been shown to have a major impact on the activity, stability, and cellular localization of target proteins. The rise in levels of SUMO-conjugated proteins is therefore likely to have a major effect on the fate of post-ischemic neurons. The sumoylation process could provide an exciting new target for therapeutic intervention.

Rad52 sumoylation and its involvement in the efficient induction of homologous recombination

The protein Rad52 is a key player in various types of homologous recombination and is essential to maintenance of genomic integrity. Although evidence indicates that Rad52 is modified by SUMO, the physiological relevance of this sumoylation remains unclear. Here, we identify the conditions under which Rad52 sumoylation is induced, and clarify the role of this modification in homologous recombination. Oligomerization of Rad52 was a prerequisite for sumoylation, and the modification occurred in the cell proceeding S phase being exposed to the DNA-damaging agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). Following exposure to MMS, sumoylated Rad52 accumulated in rad51 cells, but not in the recombination-related gene mutants, rad54, rad55, rad59, sgs1, or srs2. The accumulation of sumoylated Rad52 was suppressed in rad51 cells expressing Rad51-K191R, an ATPase-defective protein presumed to be recruited to ssDNA. Although the sumoylation defective mutant rad52-3KR (K10R/K11R/K220R) showed no defect in mating-type switching, which did not lead to Rad52 sumoylation in wild-type cells, the mutant did demonstrate a partial defect in MMS-induced interchromosomal homologous recombination.

Ubiquitin proteolytic system: focus on SUMO

The small ubiquitin-like modifier proteins (Smt3 in yeast and SUMOs 1-4 in vertebrates) are members of the ubiquitin super family. Like ubiquitin, the SUMOs are protein modifiers that are covalently attached to the epsilon-amino group of lysine residues in the substrates. The application of proteomics to the SUMO field has greatly expanded both the number of known targets and the number of identified target lysines. As new refinements of proteomic techniques are developed and applied to sumoylation, an explosion of novel data is likely in the next 5 years. This ability to examine sumoylated proteins globally, rather than individually, will lead to new insights into both the functions of the individual SUMO types, and how dynamic changes in overall sumoylation occur in response to alterations in cellular environment. In addition, there is a growing appreciation for the existence of cross-talk mechanisms between the sumoylation and ubiquitinylation processes. Rather than being strictly parallel, these two systems have many points of intersection, and it is likely that the coordination of these two systems is a critical contributor to the regulation of many fundamental cellular events.

Identification of a new site of sumoylation on Tel (ETV6) uncovers a PIAS-dependent mode of regulating Tel function

Cell proliferation and differentiation are governed by a finely controlled balance between repression and activation of gene expression. The vertebrate Ets transcriptional repressor Tel (ETV6) and its invertebrate orthologue Yan, play pivotal roles in cell fate determination although the precise mechanisms by which repression of gene expression by these factors is achieved are not clearly defined. Here, we report the identification and characterization of the primary site of sumoylation of Tel, lysine 11 (K11), which is highly conserved in vertebrates (except Danio rerio). We demonstrate that in cells PIAS3 binds to Tel and stimulates sumoylation of K11 in the nucleus. Both Tel monomers and oligomers are efficiently sumoylated on K11 in vitro; but in cells only Tel oligomers are found conjugated with SUMO, whereas sumoylation of Tel monomers is transitory and appears to sensitize them for proteasomal degradation. Mechanistically, sumoylation of K11 inhibits repression of gene expression by full-length Tel. In accordance with this observation, we found that sumoylation impedes Tel association with DNA. By contrast, a Tel isoform lacking K11 (TelM43) is strongly repressive. This isoform results from translation from an alternative initiation codon (M43) that is common to all Tel proteins that also contain the K11 sumoylation consensus site. We find that PIAS3 may have a dual, context-dependent influence on Tel; it mediates Tel sumoylation, but it also augments Tel's repressive function in a sumoylation-independent fashion. Our data support a model that suggests that PIAS-mediated sumoylation of K11 and the emergence of TelM43 in early vertebrates are linked and that this serves to refine spatiotemporal control of gene expression by Tel by establishing a pool of Tel molecules that are available either to be recycled to reinforce repression of gene expression or are degraded in a regulated fashion.

Sumoylation of Smad3 stimulates its nuclear export during PIASy-mediated suppression of TGF-beta signaling

Sma- and MAD-related protein 3 (Smad3) plays crucial roles in the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-mediated signaling pathway, which produce a variety of cellular responses, including cell proliferation and differentiation. In our previous study, we demonstrated that protein inhibitor of activated STATy (PIASy) suppresses TGF-beta signaling by interacting with and sumoylating Smad3. In the present study, we examined the molecular mechanisms of Smad3 sumoylation during PIASy-mediated suppression of TGF-beta signaling. We found that small-interfering RNA-mediated reduction of endogenous PIASy expression enhanced TGF-beta-induced gene expression. Importantly, coexpression of Smad3 with PIASy and SUMO1 affected the DNA-binding activity of Smad3. Furthermore, coexpression of Smad3 with PIASy and SUMO1 stimulated the nuclear export of Smad3. Finally, fluorescence resonance energy transfer analyses revealed that Smad3 interacted with SUMO1 in the cytoplasm. These results suggest that PIASy regulates TGF-beta/Smad3-mediated signaling by stimulating sumoylation and nuclear export of Smad3.

MEL-18 interacts with HSF2 and the SUMO E2 UBC9 to inhibit HSF2 sumoylation

In a previous study we found that sumoylation of the DNA-binding protein heat shock factor 2 (HSF2) is up-regulated during mitosis, but the mechanism that mediates this regulation was unknown. Here we show that HSF2 interacts with the polycomb protein MEL-18, that this interaction decreases during mitosis, and that overexpression and RNA interference-mediated reduction of MEL-18 result in decreased and increased HSF2 sumoylation, respectively. Other results suggest that MEL-18 may also function to inhibit the sumoylation of other cellular proteins. The results also show that MEL-18 is able to interact with the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) ubiquitin carrier protein (E2) enzyme UBC9 and that MEL-18 inhibits the ability of UBC9 to transfer the SUMO protein to target proteins. Together, the results in this work suggest a mechanism in which MEL-18 bound to HSF2 inhibits its sumoylation by binding to and inhibiting the activity of UBC9 enzymes in the vicinity of HSF2. These results provide an explanation for how mitotic HSF2 sumoylation is regulated and suggest that MEL-18, in contrast to the sumoylation-stimulating activities of the polycomb protein PC2, actually functions like an anti-SUMO ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase (E3), interacting both with HSF2 and the SUMO E2 UBC9 but acting to inhibit UBC9 activity to decrease sumoylation of a target protein, in this case that of HSF2.

Daxx mediates SUMO-dependent transcriptional control and subnuclear compartmentalization

SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) modification is emerging as an important post-translational control in transcription. In general, SUMO modification is associated with transcriptional repression. Although many SUMO-modified transcription factors and co-activators have been identified, little is known about the mechanism underlying SUMOylation-elicited transcriptional repression. Here, we summarize that SUMO modification of transcription factors such as androgen receptor, glucocorticoid receptor, Smad4 and CBP [CREB (cAMP-response-element-binding protein)-binding protein] co-activator results in the recruitment of a transcriptional co-repressor Daxx, thereby causing transcriptional repression. Such a SUMO-dependent recruitment of Daxx is mediated by the interaction between the SUMO moiety of SUMOylated factors and Daxx SUMO-interacting motif. Interestingly, the transrepression effect of Daxx on these SUMOylated transcription factors can be relieved by SUMOylated PML (promyelocytic leukaemia) via altering Daxx partition from the targeted gene promoter to PML nuclear bodies. Because Daxx SUMO-interacting motif is a common binding site for SUMOylated factors, a model of competition for Daxx recruitment between SUMOylated PML and SUMOylated transcription factors was proposed. Together, our findings strongly suggest that Daxx functions as a SUMO reader in the SUMO-dependent regulation of transcription and subnuclear compartmentalization.

Viral control of the SUMO pathway: Gam1, a model system

SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) is a ubiquitin-like family member that is conjugated to its substrates through discrete enzymatic steps: activation, involving the E1 enzyme [SAE (SUMO-activating enzyme) 1-SAE2], conjugation, involving the E2 enzyme [Ubc9 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 9)], and substrate modification, through the co-operation of Ubc9 and E3 protein ligases. Work from our laboratory has shown the first example of a viral protein, Gam1, that binds to the E1 heterodimer, inhibiting its function and causing a complete block of the SUMOylation pathway both in vivo and in vitro, followed by SAE1-SAE2 degradation. The mechanism by which a viral protein inactivates and subsequently degrades an essential cellular enzyme, arresting a key regulatory pathway, will be discussed. Although four distinct SUMO isoforms have been described, I will use SUMO to describe the entire system.

Signalling pathways and the regulation of SUMO modification

The modification of proteins by SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) conjugation is becoming increasingly recognized as an important regulatory event. Protein SUMOylation can control a whole range of activities, including subcellular localization, protein-protein interactions and enzymatic activity. However, the SUMOylation process can itself be controlled. In the present review, the mechanisms through which protein SUMOylation is regulated are discussed, with particular emphasis on the impact of signalling pathways. A major point of regulation of the SUMO pathway is through targeting the E3 ligases, and a number of different ways to achieve this have been identified. More generally, the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathways represent one way through which SUMOylation of specific proteins is controlled, by using molecular mechanisms that at least in part also function by modifying the activity of SUMO E3 ligases. Further intricacies in signalling pathway interactions are hinted at through the growing number of examples of cross-talk between different post-translational modifications and SUMO modification.

SUMO: getting it on

Post-translational modification of cellular proteins by the SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) is involved in numerous modes of regulation in widely different biological processes. In contrast with ubiquitination, SUMO conjugation is highly specific in terms of target lysine residues, but many aspects of substrate and lysine selection by the SUMO conjugating machinery are still poorly understood. SUMOylation events usually occur on the PsiKXE SUMO consensus motifs, which mediate binding to Ubc9 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 9), the SUMO E2 conjugating enzyme. Although most, if not all, SUMO conjugations are catalysed by Ubc9, far from all PsiKXE tetrapeptides are modified, demonstrating a need for additional specificity determinants in SUMOylation. Recent results intimately link regulation of SUMOylation to other post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation and acetylation and reveal that certain lysine residues are marked for SUMOylation by negatively charged amino acid residues or phosphorylation events immediately downstream of the consensus site. In the present review, we explore the intriguing role of extended motifs in the regulation of SUMO conjugation.

PIAS proteins as regulators of small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) modifications and transcription

Transcriptional activity of signal-dependent transcription factors, including nuclear receptors, relies on interacting co-regulator proteins, many of which possess protein-modifying activity. SUMOs (small ubiquitin-related modifiers) and their conjugation pathway components act as co-regulator proteins for numerous transcription factors that also are often targets for SUMO modification. PIAS [protein inhibitor of activated STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription)] proteins promote SUMOylation in a manner that resembles the action of RING-type ubiquitin E3 ligases. PIAS proteins were initially named for their ability to interact with STAT proteins and inhibit their activity, but their interactions and functions are not restricted to the STATs. Moreover, PIAS proteins do not operate merely as SUMO E3s, since their co-regulator effects are often independent of their RING finger but dependent on their SIM (SUMO-interacting motif) or SAP (scaffold attachment factor-A/B/acinus/PIAS) domain capable of interacting with DNA. The modulator activity imparted by the PIAS/SUMO system involves altered subnuclear targeting and/or assembly of transcription complexes. PIAS proteins may act as platforms that facilitate both removal and recruitment of other regulatory proteins in the transcription complexes.

Redox-mediated modification of PLZF by SUMO-1 and ubiquitin

Earlier, we reported that the transcriptional repressor promyelocytic leukemia zinc-finger protein (PLZF) is sumoylated at position K242, and the sumoylation regulated its biological function. Here, we show that the sumoylation site can be modified by ubiquitin. The stability and nuclear localization of PLZF were regulated by the antagonistic relationship between sumoylation and ubiquitination. We observed the antagonistic effects of ubiquitin and SUMO-1 on PLZF under oxidative stress induced by serum deprivation. Thus, the choice between modification of PLZF by SUMO or ubiquitin was determined by the intracellular level of ROS, which was generated by serum deprivation that inactivated the SUMO-conjugating enzymes Uba2 and Ubc9, and resulted in decrease of sumoylation. The ubiquitination was increased under these conditions. The expression of BID, a known transcriptional target protein of PLZF, was decreased, and the consequent apoptosis was induced by the ROS generated during serum starvation. On the basis of these results, we propose that PLZF post-translational modification is controlled by intracellular ROS, and the biological function of PLZF is regulated by sumoylation and ubiquitination.

SUMO assay with peptide arrays on solid support: insights into SUMO target sites

The modification of proteins by SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier) regulates various cellular processes. Sumoylation often occurs on a specific lysine residue within the consensus motif psiKxE/D. However, little is known about the specificity and selectivity of SUMO target sites. We describe here a SUMO assay with peptide array on solid support for the simultaneous characterization of hundreds of different SUMO target sites. This approach was used to characterize known SUMO substrates. The position of the motif within the peptide and the amino acids flanking the acceptor site affected the efficiency of SUMO modification. Interestingly, a sequence of only four amino acids, corresponding to the SUMO consensus motif without flanking amino acids, was a bona fide target site. Analysis of a peptide library for all variants of the psiKxE/D consensus motif revealed that the first and third positions in the tetrapeptide preferably contain aromatic amino acid residues. Furthermore, by adding the SUMO E3 ligase PIAS1 to the reaction mixture, we show specific enhancement of the modification of a PIAS1-dependent SUMO substrate in this system. Overall, our results demonstrate that the sumoylation assay with peptide array on solid support can be used for the high-throughput characterization of SUMO target sites, and provide new insights into the composition, selectivity and specificity of SUMO target sites.

Cross talk of signaling pathways in the regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor function

Several posttranslational modifications including phosphorylation have been detected on the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). However, the interdependence and combinatorial regulation of these modifications and their role in GR functions are poorly understood. We studied the effects of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-dependent phosphorylation of GR on its sumoylation status and the impact that these modifications have on GR transcriptional activity. GR is targeted for phosphorylation at serine 246 (S246) by the JNK protein family in a rapid and transient manner. The levels of S246 phosphorylation of endogenous GR increased significantly in cells treated with UV radiation that activates JNK. S246 GR phosphorylation by JNK facilitated subsequent GR sumoylation at lysines 297 and 313. GR sumoylation increased with JNK activation and was inhibited in cells treated with JNK inhibitor. GR sumoylation in cells with activated JNK was mediated preferentially by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)2 rather than SUMO1. An increase in GR transcriptional activity was observed after inhibition of JNK or SUMO pathways and suppression of GR transcriptional activity after activation of both pathways in cells transfected with GR-responsive reporter genes. Endogenous GR transcriptional activity was inhibited on endogenous target genes IGF binding protein (IGFBP) and glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) when JNK and SUMO pathways were induced individually or simultaneously. Activation of both of these signals inhibited GR-mediated regulation of human inhibitor of apoptosis gene (hIAP), whereas simultaneous activation had no effect. We conclude that phosphorylation aids GR sumoylation and that cross talk of JNK and SUMO pathways fine tune GR transcriptional activity in a target gene-specific manner, thereby modulating the hormonal response of cells exposed to stress.

SUMOylation of the hepatoma-derived growth factor negatively influences its binding to chromatin

Hepatoma-derived growth factor is a nuclear targeted mitogen containing a PWWP domain that mediates binding to DNA. To date, almost nothing is known about the molecular mechanisms of the functions of hepatoma-derived growth factor, its routes of secretion and internalization or post-translational modifications. In the present study, we show for the first time that hepatoma-derived growth factor is modified by the covalent attachment of small ubiquitin-related modifier 1 (SUMO-1), a post-translational modification with regulatory functions for an increasing number of proteins. Using a basal SUMOylation system in Escherichia coli followed by a MALDI-TOF-MS based peptide analysis, we identified the lysine residue SUMOylated located in the N-terminal part of the protein adjacent to the PWWP domain. Surprisingly, this lysine residue is not part of the consensus motif described for SUMOylation. With a series of hepatoma-derived growth factor mutants, we then confirmed that this unusual location is also used in mammalian cells and that SUMOylation of hepatoma-derived growth factor takes place in the nucleus. Finally, we demonstrate that SUMOylated hepatoma-derived growth factor is not binding to chromatin, in contrast to its unSUMOylated form. These observations potentially provide new perspectives for a better understanding of the functions of hepatoma-derived growth factor.

Phosphorylation-dependent sumoylation regulates estrogen-related receptor-alpha and -gamma transcriptional activity through a synergy control motif

Interplay between different posttranslational modifications of transcription factors is an important mechanism to achieve an integrated regulation of gene expression. For the estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) alpha and gamma, regulation by posttranslational modifications is still poorly documented. Here we show that transcriptional repression associated with the ERR amino-terminal domains is mediated through sumoylation at a conserved phospho-sumoyl switch, psiKxEPxSP, that exists within a larger synergy control motif. Arginine substitution of the sumoylatable lysine residue or alanine substitution of a nearby phosphorylatable serine residue (serine 19 in ERRalpha) increased the transcriptional activity of both ERRalpha and -gamma. In addition, phospho-mimetic substitution of the serine residue with aspartate restored the sumoylation and transcriptional repression activity. The increased transcriptional activity of the sumoylation-deficient mutants was more pronounced in the presence of multiple adjacent ERR response elements. We also identified protein inhibitor of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription y as an interacting partner and a small ubiquitin-related modifier E3 ligase for ERRalpha. Importantly, analysis with a phospho-specific antibody revealed that sumoylation of ERRalpha in mouse liver requires phosphorylation of serine 19. Taken together, these results show that the interplay of phosphorylation and sumoylation in the amino-terminal domain provides an additional mechanism to regulate the transcriptional activity of ERRalpha and -gamma.

Spatial interplay between PIASy and FIP200 in the regulation of signal transduction and transcriptional activity

The members of the protein inhibitor of activated STAT (PIAS) family of proteins are implicated in fundamental cellular processes, including transcriptional regulation, either through action as E3 SUMO ligases or through SUMO-independent effects. We report here the identification of FIP200 (focal adhesion kinase family-interacting protein of 200 kDa) as a new PIASy-interacting protein. We show that the interaction depends on the integrity of the RING finger of PIASy and the carboxy terminus of FIP200. Both in vitro and in vivo sumoylation assays failed to reveal any sumoylation of FIP200, suggesting that FIP200 is not a bona fide SUMO substrate. Immunofluorescence microscopy and subcellular fractionation, either upon forced PIASy expression or in the absence of PIASy, revealed that interaction with PIASy redistributes FIP200 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, correlating with abrogation of FIP200 regulation of TSC/S6K signaling. Conversely, FIP200 enhances the transcriptional activation of the p21 promoter by PIASy whereas PIASy transcription activity is severely reduced upon FIP200 depletion by RNA interference. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrates that endogenous PIASy and FIP200 are corecruited to the p21 promoter. Altogether, these results provide the first evidence for the existence of a close-spatially controlled-mode of regulation of FIP200 and PIASy nucleocytoplasmic functions.

Activity profiling of human deSUMOylating enzymes (SENPs) with synthetic substrates suggests an unexpected specificity of two newly characterized members of the family

SENPs [Sentrin/SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier)-specific proteases] include proteases that activate the precursors of SUMOs, or deconjugate SUMOs attached to target proteins. SENPs are usually assayed on protein substrates, and for the first time we demonstrate that synthetic substrates can be convenient tools in determining activity and specificity of these proteases. We synthesized a group of short synthetic peptide fluorogenic molecules based on the cleavage site within SUMOs. We demonstrate the activity of human SENP1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8 on these substrates. A parallel positional scanning approach using a fluorogenic tetrapeptide library established preferences of SENPs in the P3 and P4 positions that allowed us to design optimal peptidyl reporter substrates. We show that the specificity of SENP1, 2, 5 and 8 on the optimal peptidyl substrates matches their natural protein substrates, and that the presence of the SUMO domain enhances catalysis by 2-3 orders of magnitude. We also show that SENP6 and 7 have an unexpected specificity that distinguishes them from other members of the family, implying that, in contrast to previous predictions, their natural substrate(s) may not be SUMO conjugates.

The nucleolar SUMO-specific protease SENP3 reverses SUMO modification of nucleophosmin and is required for rRNA processing

The ubiquitin-like SUMO system functions by a cyclic process of modification and demodification, and recent data suggest that the nucleolus is a site of sumoylation-desumoylation cycles. For example, the tumour suppressor ARF stimulates sumoylation of nucleolar proteins. Here, we show that the nucleolar SUMO-specific protease SENP3 is associated with nucleophosmin (NPM1), a crucial factor in ribosome biogenesis. SENP3 catalyses desumoylation of NPM1-SUMO2 conjugates in vitro and counteracts ARF-induced modification of NPM1 by SUMO2 in vivo. Intriguingly, depletion of SENP3 by short interfering RNA interferes with nucleolar ribosomal RNA processing and inhibits the conversion of the 32S rRNA species to the 28S form, thus phenocopying the processing defect observed on depletion of NPM1. Moreover, mimicking constitutive modification of NPM1 by SUMO2 interferes with 28S rRNA maturation. These results define SENP3 as an essential factor for ribosome biogenesis and suggest that deconjugation of SUMO2 from NPM1 by SENP3 is critically involved in 28S rRNA maturation.

Transient global cerebral ischemia induces a massive increase in protein sumoylation

A new group of proteins, small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins, has recently been identified and protein sumoylation has been shown to play a major role in various signal transduction pathways. Here, we report that transient global cerebral ischemia induces a marked increase in protein sumoylation. Mice were subjected to 10 mins severe forebrain ischemia followed by 3 or 6 h of reperfusion. Transient cerebral ischemia induced a massive increase in protein sumoylation by SUMO2/3 both in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. SUMO2/3 conjugation was associated with a decrease in levels of free SUMO2/3. After ischemia, protein levels of the SUMO-conjugating enzyme Ubc9 were transiently decreased in the cortex but not in the hippocampus. We also exposed HT22 cells to arsenite, a respiratory poison that impairs cytoplasmic function and induces oxidative stress. Arsenite exposure induced a marked rise in protein sumoylation, implying that impairment of cytoplasmic function and oxidative stress may be involved in the massive post-ischemic activation of SUMO conjugation described here. Sumoylation of transcription factors has been shown to block their activation, with some exceptions such as the heat-shock factor and the hypoxia-responsive factor, where sumoylation blocks their degradation, and the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) essential modulator where sumoylation leads to an activation of NF-kappaB. Because protein sumoylation is known to be involved in the regulation of various biologic processes, the massive post-ischemic increase in protein sumoylation may play a critical role in defining the final outcome of neurons exposed to transient ischemia.

Emerging roles of the SUMO pathway in mitosis

SUMO proteins are small ubiquitin-like modifiers found in all eukaryotes that become covalently conjugated to other cellular proteins. The SUMO conjugation pathway is biochemically similar to ubiquitin conjugation, although the enzymes within the pathway act exclusively on SUMO proteins. This post-translational modification controls many processes. Here, I will focus on evidence that SUMOylation plays a critical role(s) in mitosis: Early studies showed a genetic requirement for SUMO pathway components in the process of cell division, while later findings implicated SUMOylation in the control of mitotic chromosome structure, cell cycle progression, kinetochore function and cytokinesis. Recent insights into the targets of SUMOylation are likely to be extremely helpful in understanding each of these aspects. Finally, growing evidence suggests that SUMOylation is a downstream target of regulation through Ran, a small GTPase with important functions in both interphase nuclear trafficking and mitotic spindle assembly.

SUMOylation modulates the transcription repressor function of RIP140

RIP140/NRIP1 (receptor-interacting protein 140) functions as a corepressor of nuclear receptors. It plays an important role in the transcriptional control of energy metabolism and female fertility. RIP140 contains four distinct repression domains (RD1-RD4), and the repressive activity of RIP140 involves complex mechanisms. The function of both RD1 and RD2 is linked to recruitment of histone deacetylases and C-terminal binding protein, respectively, but the mechanism of repression for RD3 and RD4 has remained elusive. Because covalent modification by small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO-1, -2, and -3; SUMOylation) is often associated with transcriptional repression, we studied whether SUMOylation is involved in the repressive activity of RIP140. We show that two conserved lysines, Lys(756) and Lys(1154), located in RD3 and RD4, respectively, are subject to reversible SUMOylation, with SUMO-1 being more efficiently conjugated than SUMO-2. Interestingly, mutations of the RIP140 SUMOylation sites compromised the transcription repressor function of RIP140 and blunted its capacity to repress estrogen receptor alpha-dependent transcription. Conjugation of SUMO-1 also influenced the subnuclear distribution pattern of RIP140. In sum, our demonstration that the function of RIP140 repression domains 3 and 4 can be modulated by reversible SUMO modification thus adds a novel level to the regulation of RIP140 activity, which may have ramifications in the control of gene networks exerted by RIP140.

ERM transcription factor contains an inhibitory domain which functions in sumoylation-dependent manner

ERM, PEA3 and ETV1 belong to the PEA3 group of ETS transcription factors. They are involved in many developmental processes and are transcriptional regulators in metastasis. The PEA3 group members share an N-terminal transactivation domain (TAD) whose activity is inhibited by a flanking domain named the negative regulatory domain (NRD). The mechanism of this inhibition is still unknown. Here we show that the NRD maps to residues 73 to 298 in ERM and contains three of the five SUMO sites previously identified in the protein. We demonstrate that these three SUMO sites are responsible for NRD's inhibitory function in the Gal4 system. Although the presence of the three sites is required to obtain maximal inhibition, only one SUMO site is sufficient to repress transcription whatever its localization within the NRD. We also show that NRD is a SUMO-dependent repression domain that can act in cis and in trans to downregulate the powerful TAD of the VP16 viral protein. In addition, we find that the SUMO sites outside the NRD also play a role in the negative regulation of full-length ERM activity. We thus postulate that each SUMO site in ERM may function as an inhibitory motif.

SIRT1 negatively regulates HDAC1-dependent transcriptional repression by the RBP1 family of proteins

Both RBP1 and the highly related protein BCAA play a role in the induction of growth arrest and cellular senescence via mechanisms involving transcriptional repression. While investigating the transcriptional repression activities of RBP1, we observed a genetic link between RBP1 and SIR2. Further work uncovered an interaction between RBP1 family proteins and the mammalian homologue of SIR2, SIRT1. Interestingly, the HDAC-dependent transcriptional repression domain of RBP1 proteins, termed R2, is necessary and sufficient for the interaction with SIRT1. In vitro and in vivo binding studies indicated that the p33(ING1b) and p33(ING2) subunits of the mSIN3A/HDAC1 complex are responsible for the recruitment of SIRT1 to the R2 domain. To investigate the biological relevance of this interaction, we used the sirtuin activator resveratrol and the sirtuin inhibitor sirtinol in transcriptional repression assays and demonstrated that SIRT1 activity negatively regulates R2-mediated transcriptional repression activity. We therefore propose a novel mechanism of class I HDAC regulation by a class III HDAC. Explicitly, SIRT1 is recruited by ING proteins and inhibits R2-associated mSIN3A/HDAC1 transcriptional repression activity.

A novel method for high accuracy sumoylation site prediction from protein sequences

Background

Protein sumoylation is an essential dynamic, reversible post translational modification that plays a role in dozens of cellular activities, especially the regulation of gene expression and the maintenance of genomic stability. Currently, the complexities of sumoylation mechanism can not be perfectly solved by experimental approaches. In this regard, computational approaches might represent a promising method to direct experimental identification of sumoylation sites and shed light on the understanding of the reaction mechanism.

Results

Here we presented a statistical method for sumoylation site prediction. A 5-fold cross validation test over the experimentally identified sumoylation sites yielded excellent prediction performance with correlation coefficient, specificity, sensitivity and accuracy equal to 0.6364, 97.67%, 73.96% and 96.71% respectively. Additionally, the predictor performance is maintained when high level homologs are removed.

Conclusion

By using a statistical method, we have developed a new SUMO site prediction method – SUMOpre, which has shown its great accuracy with correlation coefficient, specificity, sensitivity and accuracy.

RSUME, a small RWD-containing protein, enhances SUMO conjugation and stabilizes HIF-1alpha during hypoxia

SUMO conjugation to proteins is involved in the regulation of diverse cellular functions. We have identified a protein, RWD-containing sumoylation enhancer (RSUME), that enhances overall SUMO-1, -2, and -3 conjugation by interacting with the SUMO conjugase Ubc9. RSUME increases noncovalent binding of SUMO-1 to Ubc9 and enhances Ubc9 thioester formation and SUMO polymerization. RSUME enhances the sumoylation of IkB in vitro and in cultured cells, leading to an inhibition of NF-kB transcriptional activity. RSUME is induced by hypoxia and enhances the sumoylation of HIF-1alpha, promoting its stabilization and transcriptional activity during hypoxia. Disruption of the RWD domain structure of RSUME demonstrates that this domain is critical for RSUME action. Together, these findings point to a central role of RSUME in the regulation of sumoylation and, hence, several critical regulatory pathways in mammalian cells.

Crosstalk between the SUMO and ubiquitin pathways

Several ways in which the SUMO and ubiquitin pathways can intersect and communicate have recently been discovered. This review discusses the principles of crosstalk between SUMOylation and ubiquitination, focusing on the RNF4 family of RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligases, which specifically recognize SUMOylated proteins via their SUMO moiety for ubiquitination.

Regulation of cold signaling by sumoylation of ICE1

The small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) E3 ligase SIZ1 is an ortholog of yeast and animal SIZ (SAP and Miz)/PIAS (protein inhibition of activated STAT) proteins, which function as transcriptional coregulators either by facilitating SUMO conjugation to substrate proteins (sumoylation) or through other mechanisms that are sumoylation independent. SIZ/PIAS-type E3 ligases function in numerous eukaryotic biological processes, including regulation of organismal responses to environmental changes. This addendum summarizes our recent paper in which it is established that the Arabidopsis E3 ligase SIZ1 mediates sumoylation of ICE1. SUMO conjugation to ICE1 facilitates ICE1 activity and stability that positively regulates CBF3/DREB1A-dependent cold signaling and freezing tolerance. Furthermore, sumoylated ICE1 represses MYB15, which is a negative regulator of CBF3/DREB1A and freezing tolerance.

In vivo identification of human small ubiquitin-like modifier polymerization sites by high accuracy mass spectrometry and an in vitro to in vivo strategy

The length and precise linkage of polyubiquitin chains is important for their biological activity. Although other ubiquitin-like proteins have the potential to form polymeric chains their identification in vivo is challenging and their functional role is unclear. Vertebrates express three small ubiquitin-like modifiers, SUMO-1, SUMO-2, and SUMO-3. Mature SUMO-2 and SUMO-3 are nearly identical and contain an internal consensus site for sumoylation that is missing in SUMO-1. Combining state-of-the-art mass spectrometry with an "in vitro to in vivo" strategy for post-translational modifications, we provide direct evidence that SUMO-1, SUMO-2, and SUMO-3 form mixed chains in cells via the internal consensus sites for sumoylation in SUMO-2 and SUMO-3. In vitro, the chain length of SUMO polymers could be influenced by changing the relative amounts of SUMO-1 and SUMO-2. The developed methodology is generic and can be adapted for the identification of other sumoylation sites in complex samples.

SUMO and estrogen receptors in breast cancer

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is a family of proteins structurally similar to ubiquitin that have been found to be covalently attached to certain lysine residues of specific target proteins. By contrast to ubiquitination, however, SUMO proteins do not promote protein degradation but, instead, modulate important functional properties, depending on the protein substrate. These properties include--albeit not limited to--subcellular localization, protein dimerization, DNA binding and/or transactivation of transcription factors, among them estrogen receptors. Moreover, it has been suggested that SUMO proteins might affect transcriptional co-factor complexes of the estrogen receptor signalling cascade. Tissue and/or state specificity seems to be one of their intriguing features. In this regard, elucidation of their contribution to estrogen receptor-mediated transcriptional activity during breast carcinogenesis will offer new insights into the molecular mechanisms governing sensitivity/resistance in currently applied endocrine treatment and/or chemoprevention, and provide novel routes to breast carcinoma therapeutics.

Regulation of cullin RING ligases

The ubiquitin/26S proteasome pathway largely mediates selective proteolysis in the nucleus and cytosol. This pathway catalyzes covalent attachment of ubiquitin (UBQ) to substrate proteins in an E1-E2-E3 cascade. Ubiquitin E3 ligases interact with substrates to catalyze UBQ transfer from E2 to substrate. Within the E3 ligase superfamily, cullin RING ligases (CRLs) are significant in plants because they are linked to hormonal signaling, developmental programs, and environmental responses. Thus, knowledge of CRL regulation is required for a complete understanding of these processes. A major mechanism modulating CRL activity is modification of the cullin subunit by RUB (RELATED TO UBIQUITIN), a ubiquitin-like protein, and demodification by the COP9 signalosome (CSN). CULLIN-ASSOCIATED NEDD8-DISSOCIATED 1 (CAND1) interacts with CRLs, affecting both rubylation and derubylation. Described here are the pathways, regulation, and biological function of rubylation and derubylation, as well as future directions and outstanding questions.

Sumoylation of the zinc finger protein ZXDC enhances the function of its transcriptional activation domain

The transcription of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) genes is dependent on the co-activator protein class II trans-activator (CIITA). We have recently identified a protein known as zinc finger X-linked duplicated family member C (ZXDC) that, along with its binding partner ZXDA, forms a complex that interacts with CIITA and regulates MHC II transcription. Western blot analysis with anti-ZXDC antibodies identified two species of the ZXDC protein, one migrating near its predicted molecular mass and one with slower electrophoretic mobility. We report here that the slower migrating form is the result of sumoylation at a single lysine residue within the transcriptional activation domain of ZXDC. Three SUMO proteins (SUMO-1, -2 and -3) can modify the ZXDC protein. Multiple SUMO E3 ligase enzymes and HDAC4 can facilitate ZXDC sumoylation, and one ligase, PIASy, interacts with a specific region of the ZXDC protein. We found that sumoylation does not appear to disrupt or modulate the interaction of ZXDC with its binding partners. Rather, sumoylation of ZXDC is required for full activity of the transcriptional activation domain. Our findings suggest that sumoylation is an important regulator of ZXDC.

Slx5 promotes transcriptional silencing and is required for robust growth in the absence of Sir2

The broadly conserved Sir2 NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase is required for chromatin silencing. Here we report the discovery of physical and functional links between Sir2 and Slx5 (Hex3), a RING domain protein and subunit of the Slx5/8 complex, [corrected] which is a ubiquitin E3 ligase that targets sumoylated proteins. Slx5 interacted with Sir2 by two-hybrid and glutathione S-transferase-binding assays and was found to promote silencing of genes at telomeric or ribosomal DNA (rDNA) loci. However, deletion of SLX5 had no detectable effect on the distribution of silent chromatin components and only slightly altered the deacetylation of histone H4 lysine 16 at the telomere. In vivo assays indicated that Sir2-dependent silencing was functionally intact in the absence of Slx5. Although no previous reports suggest that Sir2 contributes to the fitness of yeast populations, we found that Sir2 was required for maximal growth in slx5Delta mutant cells. A similar requirement was observed for mutants of the SUMO isopeptidase Ulp2/Smt4. The contribution of Sir2 to optimal growth was not due to known Sir2 roles in mating-type determination or rDNA maintenance but was connected to a role of sumoylation in transcriptional silencing. These results indicate that Sir2 and Slx5 jointly contribute to transcriptional silencing and robust cellular growth.

MAPK-induced Ser727 phosphorylation promotes SUMOylation of STAT1

STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 1) is a critical mediator of IFN-γ (interferon-γ)-induced gene responses, and its function is regulated through phosphorylation of Tyr701 and Ser727. MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathways mediate phosphorylation of Ser727 in response to microbial infections, stress stimuli and growth factors. Recently, STAT1 was found to become modified by PIAS (protein inhibitor of activated STAT)-mediated SUMO-1 (small ubiquitin-related modifier-1) conjugation at Lys703, but the regulation of this modification is largely unknown. Here, we have investigated the role of MAPK-induced Ser727 phosphorylation in regulation of STAT1 SUMOylation. Activation of the p38MAPK pathway by upstream activating kinase, MKK6 (MAPK kinase-6) or osmotic stress enhanced the SUMOylation of STAT1, which was counteracted by the p38MAPK inhibitor SB202190 or by dominant-negative p38MAPK. Activation of the ERK1/2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2) pathway by Raf-1 also enhanced Ser727 phosphorylation and SUMOylation of STAT1, and this induction was counteracted by PD98059 inhibitor. Mutation of Ser727 to alanine abolished the p38MAPK-induced SUMOylation. Furthermore, S727D and S727E mutations, which mimic the phosphorylation of Ser727, enhanced the basal SUMOylation of STAT1 and interaction between PIAS1 and STAT1. Taken together, these results identify Ser727 phosphorylation as a regulator of STAT1 SUMOylation and highlight the central role of Ser727 in co-ordination of STAT1 functions in cellular responses.

Concepts in sumoylation: a decade on

A decade has passed since SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) was discovered to be a reversible post-translational protein modifier. During this time many enzymes that participate in regulated SUMO-conjugation and -deconjugation pathways have been identified and characterized. In parallel, the search for SUMO substrates has produced a long list of targets, which appear to be involved in most cellular functions. Sumoylation is a highly dynamic process and its outcomes are extremely diverse, ranging from changes in localization to altered activity and, in some cases, stability of the modified protein. At first glance, these effects have nothing in common; however, it seems that they all result from changes in the molecular interactions of the sumoylated proteins.

SUMO-specific protease 1 is essential for stabilization of HIF1alpha during hypoxia

SUMOylation is a dynamic process, catalyzed by SUMO-specific ligases and reversed by Sentrin/SUMO-specific proteases (SENPs). The physiologic consequences of SUMOylation and deSUMOylation are not fully understood. Here we investigate the phenotypes of mice lacking SENP1 and find that SENP1(-/-) embryos show severe fetal anemia stemming from deficient erythropoietin (Epo) production and die midgestation. We determine that SENP1 controls Epo production by regulating the stability of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF1alpha) during hypoxia. Hypoxia induces SUMOylation of HIF1alpha, which promotes its binding to a ubiquitin ligase, von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein, through a proline hydroxylation-independent mechanism, leading to its ubiquitination and degradation. In SENP1(-/-) MEFs, hypoxia-induced transcription of HIF1alpha-dependent genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and glucose transporter 1 (Glut-1) is markedly reduced. These results show that SENP1 plays a key role in the regulation of the hypoxic response through regulation of HIF1alpha stability and that SUMOylation can serve as a direct signal for ubiquitin-dependent degradation.

Emerging extranuclear roles of protein SUMOylation in neuronal function and dysfunction

Post-translational protein modifications are integral components of signalling cascades that enable cells to efficiently, rapidly and reversibly respond to extracellular stimuli. These modifications have crucial roles in the CNS, where the communication between neurons is particularly complex. SUMOylation is a post-translational modification in which a member of the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) family of proteins is conjugated to lysine residues in target proteins. It is well established that SUMOylation controls many aspects of nuclear function, but it is now clear that it is also a key determinant in many extranuclear neuronal processes, and it has also been implicated in a wide range of neuropathological conditions.

Highly sensitive assays for SUMOylation and small ubiquitin-like modifier-dependent protein-protein interactions

Small ubiquitin-like proteins (SUMO) are recently discovered post-translational modifiers that regulate protein functions and intracellular trafficking. In this study, we are describing two chemoluminescence-based assays, one for SUMOylation and another one for SUMO-mediated protein-protein interactions. These assays can be used to characterize the activity and kinetics of the enzymes that catalyze SUMOylation, and in high-throughput screening for inhibitors of SUMOylation and SUMO-dependent protein-protein interactions. These novel assays represent the most sensitive assays for ubiquitin-like systems published to date. Similar strategies can be used to develop assays for other ubiquitin-like modification systems.

Ubc9 fusion-directed SUMOylation (UFDS)

SUMOylation is a post-translational modification that is involved in the regulation of proteins of different cellular processes. Dependent on the transient, small SUMOylated portion of most target proteins, it is difficult to identify and characterize this modification and its functions, and it is even more difficult to study the interplay between SUMOylation and other modifications on a specific protein. To facilitate the analysis of protein SUMOylation and its interplay with other protein modifications, the UFDS (Ubc9 fusion-directed SUMOylation) system has been developed. The identification of new SUMOylation substrates and the elucidation of the interplay between STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 1) phosphorylation and SUMOylation demonstrate UFDS as a useful tool for analysing protein SUMOylation.