The role of a novel SUMO conjugation process on estrogen receptor function and gene transcription

最近，SUMO修饰蛋白附着在靶蛋白上的过程被认为是一种调节基因表达的新机制。然而，SUMOylation的功能后果还不是很清楚，我们的目标是更好地了解它在激素受体反应方面的作用。****我们实验室一直在研究雌激素对基因表达的响应，以及它如何与雌激素受体相互作用，在基因水平上介导其生理作用。在这方面，我们发现雌激素受体可以经历广泛的蛋白质修饰，使它们能够对各种细胞途径做出反应。****我们最近发现其中一种修饰是SUMOylation，提出了雌激素作用模式的新方面。本研究旨在描述受体SUMOylation在激素反应和其他与基因表达相关的细胞通路中是如何重要的。这些研究将提高我们对蛋白质修饰在转录能力和细胞功能中的作用的认识，并为我们提供新的机会

Recently, the identification of SUMOylation, the process by which a small modifier protein called SUMO is attached to target proteins, has emerged as a novel mechanism that regulates gene expression. However, the functional consequences of SUMOylation are not very well understood and our goal is to better understand its role in terms of hormone receptors response.****Our laboratory has been studying gene expression in response to hormone estrogen and how it interacts with estrogen receptors to mediate its physiological effects at the gene level. In that respect, we have found that estrogen receptors can undergo extensive protein modifications, allowing them to respond to various cellular pathways.****We recently showed that one of these modifications was SUMOylation, raising novel aspects in estrogen mode of action. This study aims at characterizing how receptor SUMOylation is important in hormone response and other cellular pathways linked to gene expression. These studies will improve our understanding and bring new opportunities on the role of protein modifications on transcriptional competence and cellular functions.**