Methods to analyze STUbL activity

Posttranslational modification with small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) plays an important role in many biological processes. SUMO-targeted ubiquitin E3 ligases (STUbLs) are part of the really interesting new gene (RING)-type family of ubiquitin E3 ligases. STUbLs recognize their SUMO-modified substrates via SUMO-interaction motifs and ubiquitinate them via the RING domain. As a result, they form a link between the ubiquitin and SUMO signaling pathways. STUbL activity is required for the maintenance of genome stability, the repair of damaged DNA and to target SUMO-modified proteins for degradation by the proteasome. In vitro assays for STUbL activity have been developed and used to identify their cognate ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s), to determine their substrate requirements, and to characterize the types of ubiquitin chains linked to substrates. While we have focused on the STUbL RING finger protein 4 (RNF4) the methods we describe can be extended to other STUbLs. We also describe an assay for RNF4 ubiquitination activity based on fluorescence polarization, suitable for high-throughput compound screening in drug discovery.