Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

SUMO-Binding Entities SUBEs as Tools for the Enrichment, Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of the SUMO Proteome in Liver Cancer
08:29

SUMO-Binding Entities SUBEs as Tools for the Enrichment, Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of the SUMO Proteome in Liver Cancer

Published on: November 1, 2019

7.5K

SUMOylation proteins in breast cancer

Alaa T Alshareeda1, Ola H Negm, Andrew R Green

  • 1Department of Histopathology and School of Molecular Medical Sciences, The University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, UK, mrxaa31@nottingham.ac.uk.

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
|March 4, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO) proteins influence DNA damage response and are implicated in breast cancer (BC) aggressiveness. Their nuclear localization correlates with better BC prognosis and links to DNA repair proteins.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO) proteins regulate key cellular processes, including DNA damage response (DDR).
  • Dysregulated SUMOylation is linked to carcinogenesis through altered post-transcriptional modification of proteins.
  • SUMO's role in aggressive breast cancer (BC), particularly BRCA1-mutated types, warrants investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical and biological significance of PIAS1, PIAS4, and UBC9 (SUMO proteins) in breast cancer.
  • To investigate the association between SUMO protein expression, subcellular localization, and DNA damage response (DDR) pathways.
  • To explore the correlation of SUMO proteins with established breast cancer prognostic markers and BRCA1 status.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays of primary invasive breast cancer (BC) specimens.
  • Reverse phase protein microarray (RPPA) analysis of SUMO protein expression in cell lines.
  • Assessment of PIAS1, PIAS4, and UBC9 expression and subcellular localization (nuclear vs. cytoplasmic).

Main Results:

  • PIAS1 and UBC9 exhibited cytoplasmic and/or nuclear localization, while PIAS4 was exclusively nuclear.
  • Positive nuclear/negative cytoplasmic SUMO expression correlated with favorable prognostic features (e.g., lower histologic grade) and better patient outcomes.
  • Significant correlations were observed between SUMO protein expression and DDR-related proteins (BRCA1, Rad51, ATM, CHK1, DNA-PK, KU70/KU80).

Conclusions:

  • SUMO proteins play a significant role in breast cancer biology.
  • Both the expression level and subcellular localization of SUMO proteins are associated with breast cancer phenotype and prognosis.
  • SUMOylation pathways may represent potential therapeutic targets in breast cancer, especially in BRCA1-deficient tumors.

More Related Videos

In Vivo Detection and Analysis of Rb Protein SUMOylation in Human Cells09:40

In Vivo Detection and Analysis of Rb Protein SUMOylation in Human Cells

Published on: November 2, 2017

6.6K
Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment11:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

Published on: June 9, 2023

2.3K

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.6K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

1.5K
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...
4.0K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
8.3K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

2.6K
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators02:04

Covalently Linked Protein Regulators

Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
8.2K