SUMO-specific proteases: a twist in the tail

Trends Cell Biol. 2007 Aug;17(8):370-6. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2007.08.002. Epub 2007 Sep 4.

Abstract

The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is involved in many cellular processes and is required for normal growth and development in all eukaryotes. Whereas lower eukaryotes have a single version of SUMO, higher eukaryotes have three versions: SUMO-1, -2 and -3. Similarly to most other ubiquitin-like proteins, the primary translation products of the SUMO genes need to be proteolytically processed to expose the C-terminal glycine that will be linked to lysine side chains in substrates. Processing of SUMO precursors is mediated by SUMO-specific proteases that also remove SUMO from modified proteins and depolymerise poly-SUMO chains.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / classification
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Endopeptidases / chemistry
  • Endopeptidases / classification
  • Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans / classification
  • Humans / genetics
  • Models, Molecular
  • Phylogeny
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
  • Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism

Substances

  • Protein Isoforms
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins
  • Ubiquitin
  • Endopeptidases
  • ULP2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • Ulp1 protease