On the right path to understanding protein interactions
SUMO is the acronym for the small ubiquitin-related modifier, a special protein that can modify several other proteins that participate in important cellular processes like nuclear transport. European funding has been allocated to the 'Structural and functional studies on the SUMO modification pathway' (SUMO Pathway) project to study the SUMO modification pathway. X-ray crystallography has been employed to help understand how SUMO conjugates with E3 ligases. This has enabled the characterisation of the corresponding SUMO binding motif for the RNF4 E3 ligase. The strength of several members of the SUMO protease family in deconjugating SUMO is also being rated. Of particular interest is the ability of SENP6 and SENP7 to distinguish between different types of SUMO, known as isoforms. In fact, it has been possible to manipulate protease activity, either increasing or decreasing it, with the aid of special substrates. These experiments are being extended to bacteria and other micro-organisms in the laboratory. The SUMO Pathway results are being shared with the research community through publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
