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Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Localization of SUMO-modified Proteins Using Fluorescent Sumo-trapping Proteins
Published on: April 27, 2019
Ubiquitin, SUMO, and NEDD8: Key Targets of Bacterial Pathogens
David Ribet1, Pascale Cossart2
1Nutrition, Inflammation et Dysfonction de l'Axe Intestin-Cerveau, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1073, Normandie Université, Université de Rouen, Rouen, France.
Abstract:
Manipulation of host protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) is used by various pathogens to interfere with host cell functions. Among these modifications, ubiquitin (UBI) and ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs) constitute key targets because they are regulators of pathways essential for the host cell. In particular, these PTM modifiers control pathways that have been described as crucial for infection such as pathogen entry, replication, propagation, or detection by the host. Although bacterial pathogens lack eucaryotic-like UBI or UBL systems, many of them produce proteins that specifically interfere with these host PTMs during infection. In this review we discuss the different mechanisms used by bacteria to interfere with host UBI and the two UBLs, SUMO and NEDD8.
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