SUMOs (small ubiquitin-related modifiers) are ~100 amino acid proteins that are posttranslationally and covalently conjugated to hundreds of other proteins and thereby regulate a wide range of cellular processes. We have found that sumoylation, like ubiquitination and phosphorylation, is an essential regulator of mitosis in mammalian cells. Mammals express three SUMO paralogs: SUMO-1, SUMO-2 and SUMO-3 (because SUMO-2 and SUMO-3 are 96% identical, they are referred to as SUMO-2/3). Our findings indicate that SUMO-1 and SUMO-2/3 are conjugated to unique subsets of proteins during mitosis and that they regulate distinct processes. However, many unanswered questions still exist. Many of the relevant targets of SUMO-1 and SUMO-2/3 modification remain to be identified and characterized, and mechanisms regulating their temporal modification in mitosis are not known. In addition, the specific molecular effects of SUMO-1 and SUMO-2/3 modification on their targets, and how these effects facilitate progression through mitosis, are still poorly understood. The goals of the research proposed in this renewal grant application are to address these questions and develop a detailed molecular understanding of how sumoylation affects progression through mitosis. These goals will be achieved through four specific aims: (1) We will define the roles that SUMO-2/3 modification and binding play in the targeting and assembly of kinetochore-associated proteins during mitosis. (2) We will identify and characterize molecular mechanisms regulating the temporal and spatial sumoylation of proteins during mitosis. (3) We will identify and characterize chromosome-associated proteins sumoylated during anaphase and telophase. (4) We will investigate the biophysical properties and functions of polymeric SUMO-2/3 chains and mitosis-related chain-binding proteins.

Public Health Relevance

Understanding the factors and signals that regulate normal cell division is essential for a full understanding of the causes of human cancer and for development of new anti-cancer therapies. We have identified sumoylation (the covalent linkage of the SUMO protein to other cellular proteins) as a critical process required for normal cell division. Our studies are designed to provide a more complete understanding of how sumoylation regulates cell division at the molecular level. Knowledge gained from these studies has the potential to lead to the development of new strategies for both the detection and for the treatment of human cancers.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM060980-12
Application #
8243549
Study Section
Molecular Genetics C Study Section (MGC)
Program Officer
Gindhart, Joseph G
Project Start
2000-03-01
Project End
2014-03-31
Budget Start
2012-04-01
Budget End
2013-03-31
Support Year
12
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$344,210
Indirect Cost
$134,326
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
Odeh, Hana M; Coyaud, Etienne; Raught, Brian et al. (2018) The SUMO-specific isopeptidase SENP2 is targeted to intracellular membranes via a predicted N-terminal amphipathic ?-helix. Mol Biol Cell 29:1878-1890
Lee, Christine C; Li, Bing; Yu, Hongtao et al. (2018) Sumoylation promotes optimal APC/C Activation and Timely Anaphase. Elife 7:
Lee, Christine C; Li, Bing; Yu, Hongtao et al. (2018) A Method for SUMO Modification of Proteins in vitro. Bio Protoc 8:
Uzoma, Ijeoma; Hu, Jianfei; Cox, Eric et al. (2018) Global Identification of Small Ubiquitin-related Modifier (SUMO) Substrates Reveals Crosstalk between SUMOylation and Phosphorylation Promotes Cell Migration. Mol Cell Proteomics 17:871-888
Cox, Eric; Hwang, Woochang; Uzoma, Ijeoma et al. (2017) Global Analysis of SUMO-Binding Proteins Identifies SUMOylation as a Key Regulator of the INO80 Chromatin Remodeling Complex. Mol Cell Proteomics 16:812-823
Newman, Heather A; Meluh, Pamela B; Lu, Jian et al. (2017) A high throughput mutagenic analysis of yeast sumo structure and function. PLoS Genet 13:e1006612
Lombardi, Patrick M; Matunis, Michael J; Wolberger, Cynthia (2017) RAP80, ubiquitin and SUMO in the DNA damage response. J Mol Med (Berl) 95:799-807
Reiter, Katherine H; Ramachandran, Anita; Xia, Xue et al. (2016) Characterization and Structural Insights into Selective E1-E2 Interactions in the Human and Plasmodium falciparum SUMO Conjugation Systems. J Biol Chem 291:3860-70
Lee, Christine C; Matunis, Michael J (2016) Resolving Chromatin Bridges With SIMs, SUMOs and PICH. Cell Cycle 15:2547-2548
McLaughlin, Dylan; Coey, Christopher T; Yang, Wei-Chih et al. (2016) Characterizing Requirements for Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO) Modification and Binding on Base Excision Repair Activity of Thymine-DNA Glycosylase in Vivo. J Biol Chem 291:9014-24

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