The ubiquitin-proteasome system is a key component of the SUMO-2/3 cycle

Mol Cell Proteomics. 2008 Nov;7(11):2107-22. doi: 10.1074/mcp.M800025-MCP200. Epub 2008 Jun 18.

Abstract

Many proteins are regulated by a variety of post-translational modifications, and orchestration of these modifications is frequently required for full control of activity. Currently little is known about the combinatorial activity of different post-translational modifications. Here we show that extensive cross-talk exists between sumoylation and ubiquitination. We found that a subset of SUMO-2-conjugated proteins is subsequently ubiquitinated and degraded by the proteasome. In a screen for preferential SUMO-1 or SUMO-2 target proteins, we found that ubiquitin accumulated in purified SUMO-2 conjugates but not in SUMO-1 conjugates. Upon inhibition of the proteasome, the amount of ubiquitin in purified SUMO-2 conjugates increased. In addition, we found that endogenous SUMO-2/3 conjugates, but not endogenous SUMO-1 conjugates, accumulated in response to proteasome inhibitors. Quantitative proteomics experiments enabled the identification of 73 SUMO-2-conjugated proteins that accumulated in cells treated with proteasome inhibitors. Cross-talk between SUMO-2/3 and the ubiquitin-proteasome system controls many target proteins that regulate all aspects of nucleic acid metabolism. Surprisingly the relative abundance of 40 SUMO-2-conjugated proteins was reduced by proteasome inhibitors possibly because of a lack of recycled SUMO-2. We conclude that SUMO-2/3 conjugation and the ubiquitin-proteasome system are tightly integrated and act in a cooperative manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Leupeptins / pharmacology
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism*
  • Proteasome Inhibitors
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • SUMO-1 Protein / genetics
  • SUMO-1 Protein / metabolism
  • Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins / genetics
  • Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitination
  • Ubiquitins / genetics
  • Ubiquitins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Leupeptins
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Proteasome Inhibitors
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • SUMO-1 Protein
  • SUMO1 protein, human
  • SUMO2 protein, human
  • SUMO3 protein, human
  • Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins
  • Ubiquitin
  • Ubiquitins
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • benzyloxycarbonylleucyl-leucyl-leucine aldehyde