Protein sumoylation in brain development, neuronal morphology and spinogenesis

Molecular Organization and Regulation of the Mammalian Synapse by the Post-Translational Modification SUMOylation

Neurotransmission occurs within highly specialized compartments forming the active synapse where the complex organization and dynamics of the interactions are tightly orchestrated both in time and space. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are central to these spatiotemporal regulations to ensure an efficient synaptic transmission. SUMOylation is a dynamic PTM that modulates the interactions between proteins and consequently regulates the conformation, the distribution and the trafficking of the SUMO-target proteins. SUMOylation plays a crucial role in synapse formation and stabilization, as well as in the regulation of synaptic transmission and plasticity. In this review, we summarize the molecular consequences of this protein modification in the structural organization and function of the mammalian synapse. We also outline novel activity-dependent regulation and consequences of the SUMO process and explore how this protein modification can functionally participate in the compartmentalization of both pre- and post-synaptic sites.

SENP5 deteriorates traumatic brain injury via SUMO2-dependent suppression of E2F1 SUMOylation

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a main public health concern during the past decade, attracting considerable interest because of its rising prevalence, wide-ranging risk factors and lifelong familial and societal influence. SUMO2 can conjugate to substrates upon various cellular stresses. Nevertheless, whether and how SUMO2-specific proteases partake in TBI is less understood. The aim of this study is to dissect the effects of SUMO-specific peptidase 5 (SENP5) on accentuating TBI in rats in an effort to unveil its underlying mechanism. SENP5 is overexpressed in hippocampal tissues of TBI rats, and inhibition of SENP5 reduces neurological function scores, decreases brain water content, inhibits apoptosis in hippocampal tissues, and attenuates brain injury caused in rats. Moreover, SENP5 inhibits the SUMOylation level of E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) and increases the protein expression of E2F1. Silencing of E2F1 blocks the p53 signaling pathway. Overexpression of E2F1 partially reverses the protective effect of sh-SENP5 on TBI in rats. These findings reveal an essential role of SENP5 and the SUMOylation status of E2F1 in the TBI development.

SUMO control of nervous system development

In the last decades, the post-translational modification system by covalent attachment of the SUMO polypeptide to proteins has emerged as an essential mechanism controlling virtually all the physiological processes in the eukaryotic cell. This includes vertebrate development. In the nervous system, SUMO plays crucial roles in synapse establishment and it has also been linked to a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. However, to date, the involvement of the modification of specific targets in key aspects of nervous system development, like patterning and differentiation, has remained largely elusive. A number of recent works confirm the participation of target-specific SUMO modification in critical aspects of nervous system development. Here, we review pioneering and new findings demonstrating the essential role SUMO plays in neurogenesis and other facets of neurodevelopment, which will help to precisely understand the variety of mechanisms SUMO utilizes to control most fundamental processes in the cell.

Impact of RSUME Actions on Biomolecular Modifications in Physio-Pathological Processes

The small RWD domain-containing protein called RSUME or RWDD3 was cloned from pituitary tumor cells with increasing tumorigenic and angiogenic proficiency. RSUME expression is induced under hypoxia or heat shock and is upregulated, at several pathophysiological stages, in tissues like pituitary, kidney, heart, pancreas, or adrenal gland. To date, several factors with essential roles in endocrine-related cancer appear to be modulated by RWDD3. RSUME regulates, through its post-translational (PTM) modification, pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) protein stability in pituitary tumors. Interestingly, in these tumors, another PTM, the regulation of EGFR levels by USP8, plays a pathogenic role. Furthermore, RSUME suppresses ubiquitin conjugation to hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) by blocking VHL E3-ubiquitin ligase activity, contributing to the development of von Hippel-Lindau disease. RSUME enhances protein SUMOylation of specific targets involved in inflammation such as IkB and the glucocorticoid receptor. For many of its actions, RSUME associates with regulatory proteins of ubiquitin and SUMO cascades, such as the E2-SUMO conjugase Ubc9 or the E3 ubiquitin ligase VHL. New evidence about RSUME involvement in inflammatory and hypoxic conditions, such as cardiac tissue response to ischemia and neuropathic pain, and its role in several developmental processes, is discussed as well. Given the modulation of PTMs by RSUME in neuroendocrine tumors, we focus on its interactors and its mode of action. Insights into functional implications and molecular mechanisms of RSUME action on biomolecular modifications of key factors of pituitary adenomas and renal cell carcinoma provide renewed information about new targets to treat these pathologies.

Cask methylation involved in the injury of insulin secretion function caused by interleukin1-β

Islet inflammation severely impairs pancreatic β‐cell function, but the specific mechanisms are still unclear. Interleukin1‐β (IL‐1β), an essential inflammatory factor, exerts a vital role in multiple physio‐pathologic processes, including diabetes. Calcium/calmodulin‐dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) is an important regulator especially in insulin secretion process. This study aims to unveil the function of CASK in IL‐1β–induced insulin secretion dysfunction and the possible mechanism thereof. Islets of Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats and INS‐1 cells stimulated with IL‐1β were utilized as models of chronic inflammation. Insulin secretion function associated with Cask and DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) expression were assessed. The possible mechanisms of IL‐1β‐induced pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction were also explored. In this study, CASK overexpression effectively improved IL‐1β‐induced islet β‐cells dysfunction, increased insulin secretion. DNA methyltransferases and the level of methylation in the promoter region of Cask were elevated after IL‐1β administration. Methyltransferase inhibitor 5‐Aza‐2’‐deoxycytidine (5‐Aza‐dC) and si‐DNMTs partially up‐regulated CASK expression and reversed potassium stimulated insulin secretion (KSIS) and glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) function under IL‐1β treatment in INS‐1 and rat islets. These results reveal a previously unknown effect of IL‐1β on insulin secretion dysfunction and demonstrate a novel pathway for Cask silencing based on activation of DNA methyltransferases via inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and modification of gene promoter methylation.

SUMO E3 ligase PIAS1 is a potential biomarker indicating stress susceptibility

Prior studies suggest that individual differences in stress responses contribute to the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders. In the present study, we investigated the role of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) E3 ligase protein inhibitor of activated STAT1 (PIAS1) in mediating stress responses to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). We found that mRNA and protein levels of PIAS 1 were decreased in the hippocampus of high-susceptibility (HS) mice but not in low-susceptibility (LS) mice after CSDS. Local overexpression of PIAS1 in the hippocampus followed by CSDS exposure promoted stress resilience by attenuating social avoidance and improving anxiety-like behaviors. Viral-mediated gene transfer to generate a conditional knockdown of PIAS1 in the hippocampus promoted social avoidance and stress vulnerability after subthreshold microdefeat. HS mice displayed decreased levels of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression, and GR SUMOylation in the hippocampus was associated with stress vulnerability. Furthermore, cytokine/chemokine levels were changed predominantly in the hippocampus of HS mice. These results suggest that hippocampal PIAS1 plays a role in the regulation of stress susceptibility by post-translational modification of GRs.

PDPK1 regulates autophagosome biogenesis by binding to PIK3C3

PDPK1 (3-phosphoinositide dependent protein kinase 1) is a phosphorylation-regulated kinase that plays a central role in activating multiple signaling pathways and cellular processes. Here, this study shows that PDPK1 turns on macroautophagy/autophagy as a SUMOylation-regulated kinase. In vivo data demonstrate that the SUMO modification of PDPK1 is a physiological feature in the brain and that it can be induced by viral infections. The SUMOylated PDPK1 regulates its own phosphorylation and subsequent activation of the AKT1 (AKT serine/threonine kinase 1)-MTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase) pathway. However, SUMOylation of PDPK1 is inhibited by binding to PIK3C3 (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit type 3). The nonSUMOylated PDPK1 then tethers LC3 to the endoplasmic reticulum to initiate autophagy, and it acts as a key component in forming the autophagic vacuole. Collectively, this study reveals the intricate molecular regulation of PDPK1 by post-translational modification in controlling autophagosome biogenesis, and it highlights the role of PDPK1 as a sensor of cellular stress and regulator of autophagosome biogenesis.Abbreviations: AKT1: AKT serine/threonine kinase 1; ATG14: autophagy related 14; Co-IP: co-immunoprecipitation; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; hpi: hours post-infection; mAb: monoclonal antibody; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MOI: multiplicity of infection; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; pAb: polyclonal antibody; PDPK1: 3-phosphoinositide dependent protein kinase 1; PI3K: phosphoinositide 3-kinase; PIK3C3: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic, subunit type 3; RPS6KB1: ribosomal protein S6 kinase B1; SGK: serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; SUMO: small ubiquitin like modifier; UBE2I/UBC9: ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 I; UVRAG: UV radiation resistance associated.

Post-translational modifications of the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein in neuronal function and dysfunction

The Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) is an RNA-binding protein essential to the regulation of local translation at synapses. In the mammalian brain, synapses are constantly formed and eliminated throughout development to achieve functional neuronal networks. At the molecular level, thousands of proteins cooperate to accomplish efficient neuronal communication. Therefore, synaptic protein levels and their functional interactions need to be tightly regulated. FMRP generally acts as a translational repressor of its mRNA targets. FMRP is the target of several post-translational modifications (PTMs) that dynamically regulate its function. Here we provide an overview of the PTMs controlling the FMRP function and discuss how their spatiotemporal interplay contributes to the physiological regulation of FMRP. Importantly, FMRP loss-of-function leads to Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a rare genetic developmental condition causing a range of neurological alterations including intellectual disability (ID), learning and memory impairments, autistic-like features and seizures. Here, we also explore the possibility that recently reported missense mutations in the FMR1 gene disrupt the PTM homoeostasis of FMRP, thus participating in the aetiology of FXS. This suggests that the pharmacological targeting of PTMs may be a promising strategy to develop innovative therapies for patients carrying such missense mutations.

Perspectives and applications of machine learning for evolutionary developmental biology

Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo) is an ever-expanding field that aims to understand how development was modulated by the evolutionary process. In this sense, "omic" studies emerged as a powerful ally to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying development. In this scenario, bioinformatics tools become necessary to analyze the growing amount of information. Among computational approaches, machine learning stands out as a promising field to generate knowledge and trace new research perspectives for bioinformatics. In this review, we aim to expose the current advances of machine learning applied to evolution and development. We draw clear perspectives and argue how evolution impacted machine learning techniques.

Alteration of global protein SUMOylation in neurons and astrocytes in response to Alzheimer's disease-associated insults

SUMOylation, a post-translational modification of lysine residues by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD), and in neuron- and astrocyte-specific physiological functions. Global SUMOylation is increased in the AD mouse brain in the pre-plaque-forming stage but returns to wild-type levels in the plaque-bearing stage. To clarify the reason for the transient change in SUMOylation, we analyzed the alteration of global SUMOylation induced by AD-associated cytotoxic stimuli in neurons and astrocytes individually. In neurons, amyloid β42 oligomers induced some but not significant increase in levels of SUMO1-modified proteins. Both hydrogen peroxide and glutamate significantly reduced SUMO1-modified protein levels. These changes were more prominent in neurons than in astrocytes. The opposite effect of Aβ and oxidative/excitotoxic stimuli on SUMO1 modification may cause the pathological stage-associated change in the level of SUMO-modified proteins in the AD mouse brain.

Sumoylation regulates FMRP-mediated dendritic spine elimination and maturation

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most frequent inherited cause of intellectual disability and the best-studied monogenic cause of autism. FXS results from the functional absence of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) leading to abnormal pruning and consequently to synaptic communication defects. Here we show that FMRP is a substrate of the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) pathway in the brain and identify its active SUMO sites. We unravel the functional consequences of FMRP sumoylation in neurons by combining molecular replacement strategy, biochemical reconstitution assays with advanced live-cell imaging. We first demonstrate that FMRP sumoylation is promoted by activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors. We then show that this increase in sumoylation controls the homomerization of FMRP within dendritic mRNA granules which, in turn, regulates spine elimination and maturation. Altogether, our findings reveal the sumoylation of FMRP as a critical activity-dependent regulatory mechanism of FMRP-mediated neuronal function.

Fragile X syndrome patients display intellectual disability and autism, caused by mutations in the RNA-binding protein fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). Here, the authors show that FMRP sumoylation is required for regulating spine density and maturation.

Chronic administration of SUMO‑1 has negative effects on novel object recognition memory as well as cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the mouse dentate gyrus

Post‑translational modifications have been associated with developmental and aging processes, as well as in the pathogenesis of certain diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of small ubiquitin‑like modifier 1 (SUMO‑1) on hippocampal dependent memory function, cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation. To facilitate the delivery of SUMO‑1 into hippocampal neurons, a transactivator of transcription (Tat)‑SUMO‑1 fusion protein was constructed and mice were divided into two groups: A vehicle (Tat peptide)‑treated group and a Tat‑SUMO‑1‑treated group. The vehicle or Tat‑SUMO‑1 was administered intraperitoneally to 7‑week‑old mice once daily for 3 weeks, and a novel object recognition test was conducted following the final treatment; the animals were sacrificed 2 h following the test for further analysis. Administration of Tat‑SUMO‑1 significantly decreased exploration of a new object in a novel object recognition test compared with mice in the vehicle‑treated group. In addition, cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation analyses (based on Ki67 and doublecortin immunohistochemistry, respectively) revealed that the administration of Tat‑SUMO‑1 significantly reduced cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the dentate gyrus. These results suggested that chronic supplementation of Tat‑SUMO‑1 affects hippocampal functions by decreasing cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the mouse dentate gyrus.

Analysis of SUMO1-conjugation at synapses

SUMO1-conjugation of proteins at neuronal synapses is considered to be a major post-translational regulatory process in nerve cell and synapse function, but the published evidence for SUMO1-conjugation at synapses is contradictory. We employed multiple genetic mouse models for stringently controlled biochemical and immunostaining analyses of synaptic SUMO1-conjugation. By using a knock-in reporter mouse line expressing tagged SUMO1, we could not detect SUMO1-conjugation of seven previously proposed synaptic SUMO1-targets in the brain. Further, immunostaining of cultured neurons from wild-type and SUMO1 knock-out mice showed that anti-SUMO1 immunolabelling at synapses is non-specific. Our findings indicate that SUMO1-conjugation of synaptic proteins does not occur or is extremely rare and hence not detectable using current methodology. Based on our data, we discuss a set of experimental strategies and minimal consensus criteria for the validation of SUMOylation that can be applied to any SUMOylation substrate and SUMO isoform.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.26338.001

Comprehensive whole genome sequence analyses yields novel genetic and structural insights for Intellectual Disability

BACKGROUND

Intellectual Disability (ID) is among the most common global disorders, yet etiology is unknown in ~30% of patients despite clinical assessment. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is able to interrogate the entire genome, providing potential to diagnose idiopathic patients.

METHODS

We conducted WGS on eight children with idiopathic ID and brain structural defects, and their normal parents; carrying out an extensive data analyses, using standard and discovery approaches.

RESULTS

We verified de novo pathogenic single nucleotide variants (SNV) in ARID1B c.1595delG and PHF6 c.820C > T, potentially causative de novo two base indels in SQSTM1 c.115_116delinsTA and UPF1 c.1576_1577delinsA, and de novo SNVs in CACNB3 c.1289G > A, and SPRY4 c.508 T > A, of uncertain significance. We report results from a large secondary control study of 2081 exomes probing the pathogenicity of the above genes. We analyzed structural variation by four different algorithms including de novo genome assembly. We confirmed a likely contributory 165 kb de novo heterozygous 1q43 microdeletion missed by clinical microarray. The de novo assembly resulted in unmasking hidden genome instability that was missed by standard re-alignment based algorithms. We also interrogated regulatory sequence variation for known and hypothesized ID genes and present useful strategies for WGS data analyses for non-coding variation.

CONCLUSION

This study provides an extensive analysis of WGS in the context of ID, providing genetic and structural insights into ID and yielding diagnoses.

Sumoylation in Synaptic Function and Dysfunction

Sumoylation has recently emerged as a key post-translational modification involved in many, if not all, biological processes. Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO) polypeptides are covalently attached to specific lysine residues of target proteins through a dedicated enzymatic pathway. Disruption of the SUMO enzymatic pathway in the developing brain leads to lethality indicating that this process exerts a central role during embryonic and post-natal development. However, little is still known regarding how this highly dynamic protein modification is regulated in the mammalian brain despite an increasing number of data implicating sumoylated substrates in synapse formation, synaptic communication and plasticity. The aim of this review is therefore to briefly describe the enzymatic SUMO pathway and to give an overview of our current knowledge on the function and dysfunction of protein sumoylation at the mammalian synapse.

The Sumo protease Senp7 is required for proper neuronal differentiation

Covalent attachment of the Small ubiquitin-like modifier (Sumo) polypeptide to proteins regulates many processes in the eukaryotic cell. In the nervous system, Sumo has been associated with the synapsis and with neurodegenerative diseases. However, its involvement in regulating neuronal differentiation remains largely unknown. Here we show that net Sumo deconjugation is observed during neurogenesis and that Sumo overexpression impairs this process. In an attempt to shed light on the underlying mechanisms, we have analyzed the expression profile of genes coding for components of the sumoylation pathway following induction of neuronal differentiation. Interestingly, we observed strong upregulation of the Senp7 protease at both mRNA and protein levels under differentiation conditions. Sumo proteases, by removing Sumo from targets, are key regulators of sumoylation. Strikingly, loss-of-function analysis demonstrated that Senp7 is required for neuronal differentiation not only in a model cell line, but also in the developing neural tube. Finally, reporter-based analysis of the Senp7 promoter indicated that Senp7 was transiently activated at early stages of neuronal differentiation. Thus, the Sumo protease Senp7 adds to the list of factors involved in vertebrate neurogenesis.

The language-related transcription factor FOXP2 is post-translationally modified with small ubiquitin-like modifiers

Mutations affecting the transcription factor FOXP2 cause a rare form of severe speech and language disorder. Although it is clear that sufficient FOXP2 expression is crucial for normal brain development, little is known about how this transcription factor is regulated. To investigate post-translational mechanisms for FOXP2 regulation, we searched for protein interaction partners of FOXP2, and identified members of the PIAS family as novel FOXP2 interactors. PIAS proteins mediate post-translational modification of a range of target proteins with small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMOs). We found that FOXP2 can be modified with all three human SUMO proteins and that PIAS1 promotes this process. An aetiological FOXP2 mutation found in a family with speech and language disorder markedly reduced FOXP2 SUMOylation. We demonstrate that FOXP2 is SUMOylated at a single major site, which is conserved in all FOXP2 vertebrate orthologues and in the paralogues FOXP1 and FOXP4. Abolishing this site did not lead to detectable changes in FOXP2 subcellular localization, stability, dimerization or transcriptional repression in cellular assays, but the conservation of this site suggests a potential role for SUMOylation in regulating FOXP2 activity in vivo.

Tracking the activity-dependent diffusion of synaptic proteins using restricted photoconversion of Dendra2

Spines are small protrusions on dendritic membranes receiving inputs from axonal termini. They consist in a head connected to the dendritic shaft by a narrow neck and contain multiple synaptic proteins that interact in a coordinated manner to allow for synaptic communication. This process involves many proteins that are moving in and out spines. However, comparing this synaptodendritic movement in basal and stimulated conditions is very challenging. Here we describe an elegant method to measure the activity-dependent diffusion of synaptic proteins using Dendra2 photoconversion. We provide a successful method to obtain Dendra2-photoconverted images and a step-by-step procedure to analyze the data. This live-imaging approach may also apply to investigate the diffusion of proteins across other subcellular compartments or organelles including but not restricted to, nucleus, nucleolus, ER, or vesicular structures. Once the imaging system is set up, data can be acquired in 1-30 min and analyzed in approximately 1-4 h.

Role of post-translational modifications on structure, function and pharmacology of class C G protein-coupled receptors

G protein-coupled receptors are divided into three classes (A, B and C) based on homology of their seven transmembrane domains. Class C is the smallest class with 22 human receptor subtypes including eight metabotropic glutamate (mGlu1-8) receptors, two GABAB receptors (GABAB1 and GABAB2), three taste receptors (T1R1-3), one calcium-sensing (CaS) receptor, one GPCR, class C, group 6, subtype A (GPRC6) receptor, and seven orphan receptors. G protein-coupled receptors undergo a number of post-translational modifications, which regulate their structure, function and/or pharmacology. Here, we review the existence of post-translational modifications in class C G protein-coupled receptors and their regulatory roles, with particular focus on glycosylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation, disulphide bonding and lipidation.

19q13.11 microdeletion concomitant with ins(2;19)(p25.3;q13.1q13.4)dn in a boy: potential role of UBA2 in the associated phenotype

The 19q13.11 microdeletion syndrome (MIM613026) is a clinically recognisable condition in which a 324-kb minimal overlapping critical region has been recently described. However, genes not included within this region, such as WTIP and UBA2, have been proposed to contribute to the clinical characteristics observed in patients. Using cytogenetic techniques, single nucleotide polymorphism arrays, and the quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we identified a novel case with a 2.49-Mb deletion derived from a de novo chromosomal rearrangement. Based on a review of the literature, we support the notion that UBA2 haploinsufficiency could contribute to the phenotype of this rare genomic disorder. UBA2 belongs to a protein complex with sumoylation activity, and several transcription factors, hormone receptors, and signalling proteins related to brain and sexual development are regulated by this post-translational modification. Additional clinical reports and further research on UBA2 molecular function are warranted.

mGlu5 receptors regulate synaptic sumoylation via a transient PKC-dependent diffusional trapping of Ubc9 into spines

Sumoylation plays important roles in the modulation of protein function, neurotransmission and plasticity, but the mechanisms regulating this post-translational system in neurons remain largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that the synaptic diffusion of Ubc9, the sole conjugating enzyme of the sumoylation pathway, is regulated by synaptic activity. We use restricted photobleaching/photoconversion of individual hippocampal spines to measure the diffusion properties of Ubc9 and show that it is regulated through an mGlu5R-dependent signalling pathway. Increasing synaptic activity with a GABAA receptor antagonist or directly activating mGlu5R increases the synaptic residency time of Ubc9 via a Gαq/PLC/Ca(2+)/PKC cascade. This activation promotes a transient synaptic trapping of Ubc9 through a PKC phosphorylation-dependent increase of Ubc9 recognition to phosphorylated substrates and consequently leads to the modulation of synaptic sumoylation. Our data demonstrate that Ubc9 diffusion is subject to activity-dependent regulatory processes and provide a mechanism for the dynamic changes in sumoylation occurring during synaptic transmission.

SETX sumoylation: A link between DNA damage and RNA surveillance disrupted in AOA2

Senataxin (SETX) is a putative RNA:DNA helicase that is mutated in two distinct juvenile neurological disorders, AOA2 and ALS4. SETX is involved in the response to oxidative stress and is suggested to resolve R loops formed at transcription termination sites or at sites of collisions between the transcription and replication machineries. R loops are hybrids between RNA and DNA that are believed to lead to DNA damage and genomic instability. We discovered that Rrp45, a core component of the exosome, is a SETX-interacting protein and that the interaction depends on modification of SETX by sumoylation. Importantly, we showed that AOA2 but not ALS4 mutations prevented both SETX sumoylation and the Rrp45 interaction. We also found that upon replication stress induction, SETX and Rrp45 co-localize in nuclear foci that constitute sites of R-loop formation generated by transcription and replication machinery collisions. We suggest that SETX links transcription, DNA damage and RNA surveillance, and discuss here how this link can be relevant to AOA2 disease.