Identification and molecular properties of SUMO-binding proteins in Arabidopsis

Mol Cells. 2011 Aug;32(2):143-51. doi: 10.1007/s10059-011-2297-3. Epub 2011 May 20.

Abstract

Reversible conjugation of the small ubiquitin modifier (SUMO) peptide to proteins (SUMOylation) plays important roles in cellular processes in animals and yeasts. However, little is known about plant SUMO targets. To identify SUMO substrates in Arabidopsis and to probe for biological functions of SUMO proteins, we constructed 6xHis-3xFLAG fused AtSUMO1 (HFAtSUMO1) controlled by the CaMV35S promoter for transformation into Arabidopsis Col-0. After heat treatment, an increased sumoylation pattern was detected in the transgenic plants. SUMO1-modified proteins were selected after two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) image analysis and identified using matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). We identified 27 proteins involved in a variety of processes such as nucleic acid metabolism, signaling, metabolism, and including proteins of unknown functions. Binding and sumoylation patterns were confirmed independently. Surprisingly, MCM3 (At5G46280), a DNA replication licensing factor, only interacted with and became sumoylated by AtSUMO1, but not by SUMO1ΔGG or AtSUMO3. The results suggest specific interactions between sumoylation targets and particular sumoylation enzymes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Hot Temperature
  • Mutant Proteins / genetics
  • Nucleic Acids / metabolism
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Plant Roots / physiology*
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Engineering
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Proteomics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Nucleic Acids
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • SUM1 protein, Arabidopsis