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

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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 the control of genes by a family of proteins termed nuclear hormone receptors. Our laboratory has been studying gene expression in response to hormone estrogen and how it interacts with estrogen receptors to mediate its biological 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. We also found that this novel process also occurs on other nuclear receptors, widening the mechanism by which SUMOylation controls various gene networks. 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.