SUMO proteins: Guardians of immune system

Publication date: Available online 15 September 2017
Source:Journal of Autoimmunity
Author(s): Sabrina Adorisio, Alessandra Fierabracci, Isabella Muscari, Anna Marina Liberati, Emira Ayroldi, Graziella Migliorati, Trinh Thi Thuy, Carlo Riccardi, Domenico V. Delfino
Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins belong to the ubiquitin-like family and act to change the function of target proteins through post-translational modifications. Through their interactions with innate immune pathways, SUMOs promote an efficient immune response to pathogenic challenge avoiding, at the same time, an excess of immune response that could lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. This report discusses the general functions of SUMO proteins; highlights SUMO involvement in the innate immune response through their role in NF-κB and interferon pathways; the involvement of SUMO proteins in autoimmune diseases; and reviews bacterial, viral, and parasitic interactions with SUMO pathways. In conclusion, we speculate that targeting SUMOs could represent a new therapeutic strategy against infections and autoimmunity.



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