SUMO3

SUMO3 (Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier 3) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SUMO3 gene. SUMO3 is a member of the SUMO (Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier) protein family, which plays a crucial role in post-translational modification of proteins. SUMOylation, the process of adding SUMO proteins to target proteins, is involved in various cellular processes including nuclear-cytosolic transport, transcriptional regulation, apoptosis, protein stability, response to stress, and cell cycle progression.

Function

SUMO3, like other SUMO proteins, is involved in modifying other proteins by covalently attaching to them in a process known as SUMOylation. This modification can alter the activity of the target protein, its interaction with other proteins, its location within the cell, and its stability. SUMO3 is highly similar to SUMO2 and shares about 50% similarity with SUMO1, another member of the SUMO family. However, SUMO2 and SUMO3 are nearly identical, differing in only a few amino acids. This close similarity suggests that SUMO2 and SUMO3 may have redundant or overlapping functions in cells.

SUMOylation by SUMO3 has been implicated in a variety of cellular processes. For example, it plays a role in the regulation of transcription factors, thereby influencing gene expression. It is also involved in the maintenance of genome stability, the regulation of the cell cycle, and the response to stress. SUMO3 modification of proteins is reversible, and specific enzymes known as SENPs (Sentrin/SUMO-specific proteases) can remove SUMO3, thus allowing dynamic regulation of SUMOylation in response to cellular signals.

Gene

The SUMO3 gene is located on chromosome 21 in humans. It encodes the SUMO3 protein, which is expressed in various tissues throughout the body. The gene undergoes transcription and translation to produce the SUMO3 protein, which is then processed to expose a C-terminal diglycine motif necessary for its conjugation to target proteins.

Clinical Significance

Alterations in SUMOylation patterns, including those mediated by SUMO3, have been associated with various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and heart disease. Abnormal SUMOylation can affect the stability, localization, and function of proteins involved in critical cellular pathways, leading to disease. Research into SUMO3 and its role in SUMOylation may provide insights into the mechanisms of these diseases and potential therapeutic targets.

See Also

• SUMOylation
• Post-translational modification
• Ubiquitin
• Protein stability