An additional role for SUMO in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis

Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2009 Aug;10(8):564-8. doi: 10.1038/nrm2707. Epub 2009 May 28.

Abstract

Although the post-translational modification of proteins with small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) has a role in many biological processes, it was thought that SUMO, unlike ubiquitin, does not target proteins for degradation. However, these views need to be revised, as recent findings in yeast and human cells indicate that SUMO can act as a signal for the recruitment of E3 ubiquitin ligases, which leads to the ubiquitylation and degradation of the modified protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / chemistry
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins
  • Ubiquitin
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases