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In Vitro SUMOylation Assay to Study SUMO E3 Ligase Activity
Published on: January 29, 2018
Performing in vitro sumoylation reactions using recombinant enzymes.
Andreas Werner1, Marie-Christine Moutty, Ulrike Möller
1Department of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Georg-August, University of Göttingen, Germany.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|December 25, 2008
Summary
This study provides detailed protocols for producing mammalian proteins for in vitro sumoylation. These methods enable functional analysis of sumoylation, a crucial post-translational modification, using various target proteins and E3 ligases.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Post-Translational Modifications
Background:
- In vitro sumoylation is essential for analyzing protein sumoylation.
- Standardized protocols are needed for reproducible functional studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present detailed protocols for bacterial production of key mammalian sumoylation proteins.
- To provide adaptable methods for in vitro sumoylation assays.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial expression of E1 activating enzyme (Aos1/Uba2), E2 conjugating enzyme (Ubc9), SUMO-1, and E3 ligase (RanBP2/Nup358 catalytic domain).
- Two distinct protocols for E1 enzyme production: co-expression or separate expression and reconstitution.
- Demonstration of in vitro sumoylation using RanGAP1 and Sp100 as substrates.
Main Results:
- Successful bacterial production of essential sumoylation machinery components.
- Established protocols for in vitro sumoylation reactions with and without E3 ligase.
- Demonstrated adaptability for various substrates and E3 ligases.
Conclusions:
- The presented protocols facilitate robust in vitro sumoylation studies.
- These methods are valuable for investigating the functional roles of sumoylation.
- The protocols are readily adaptable for diverse research applications in sumoylation biology.

