Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Using an Automated Cell Counter to Simplify Gene Expression Studies: siRNA Knockdown of IL-4 Dependent Gene Expression in Namalwa Cells
10:34

Using an Automated Cell Counter to Simplify Gene Expression Studies: siRNA Knockdown of IL-4 Dependent Gene Expression in Namalwa Cells

Published on: April 14, 2010

SUMOylation attenuates c-Maf-dependent IL-4 expression

Bo-Shiou Lin1, Pei-Yun Tsai, Wan-Yun Hsieh

  • 1Graduate Institute of Immunology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.

European Journal of Immunology
|February 4, 2010
PubMed

Insights

SUMOylation of c-Maf protein, a key regulator of IL-4 gene expression in Th2 cells, is critical. This post-translational modification at lysine-33 attenuates c-Maf activity, impacting IL-4 production.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Transcription factor function is regulated by post-translational modifications like SUMOylation.
  • c-Maf is a crucial transactivator of the Interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene in T helper 2 (Th2) cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of SUMOylation in regulating c-Maf activity.
  • To identify the specific site of SUMOylation on c-Maf and its functional consequences.

Main Methods:

  • Yeast two-hybrid screening to identify interacting proteins.
  • Co-localization studies using immunofluorescence.
  • In vitro and in vivo SUMOylation assays.
  • Site-directed mutagenesis to create SUMOylation-resistant c-Maf.
  • Assessment of transcriptional activity and IL-4 production.

Main Results:

  • c-Maf interacts with Ubc9 and PIAS1, key SUMOylation enzymes.
  • c-Maf is SUMOylated at lysine-33 (K33) in Th2 cells.
  • SUMOylation of c-Maf attenuates its transcriptional activity and IL-4 production.
  • A SUMOylation-resistant c-Maf mutant shows enhanced IL-4 production.
  • SUMOylation does not affect c-Maf stability or localization but enhances its promoter recruitment.

Conclusions:

  • SUMOylation at K33 is a critical post-translational modification regulating c-Maf function in T cells.
  • This modification fine-tunes IL-4 gene expression by modulating c-Maf's transcriptional activity and promoter binding.

More Related Videos

Comparative Strategies for Ubiquitination Detection in Mammalian Cell Lysates Using SMAD2/SMURF2 as a Model09:00

Comparative Strategies for Ubiquitination Detection in Mammalian Cell Lysates Using SMAD2/SMURF2 as a Model

Published on: April 17, 2026

In Vitro SUMOylation Assay to Study SUMO E3 Ligase Activity09:45

In Vitro SUMOylation Assay to Study SUMO E3 Ligase Activity

Published on: January 29, 2018

Related Concept Videos

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...