Covalent modifications by Small Ubiquitin-like MOdifier (SUMO) and ubiquitin conjugation are now recognized as independent posttranslational modifications (PTMs) employed by cells to reversibly regulate cellular signaling. SUMOylation in particular has emerged as a crucial cellular mechanism involved in multiple pathologies, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, immunological and neurological disorders, as well as aging. Convergence of these two PTMs result in the ubiquitination of SUMOylated proteins, adding complexity in the modulation of protein functions. The SUMO-Targeted Ubiquitin Ligases (STUbL) mediate this process, and RNF4, the mammalian STUbL, has been at the forefront in the understanding of this phenomenon. It has been shown to play important roles in a variety of cellular events, ranging from the maintenance of genomic integrity and hence, oncogenesis, to a role in development. Recent identification of direct and indirect RNF4 targets has revealed that the SUMOylation machinery is in itself targeted by RNF4, highlighting the complex nature of the signaling circuitry tightly regulating these processes. This review will touch upon both SUMOylation and ubiquitination, and will focus on how RNF4, which is at the heart of both these PTMs, modulates cellular signaling and promotes protein degradation. Moreover, the potential of therapeutically targeting RNF4 to improve cancer treatment is also explored.
Keywords: RNF4; SUMOylation; protein stability; ubiquitination.
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