SUMOylation in Oxidative Stress Response (15)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: from 2012 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 201348542

The Melchior (TP15) group identified the SUMO E1 and E2 enzymes as essential redox sensors that are inactivated by formation of a disulfide in response to oxidative stress. Inhibition of this pathway prevents activation of the ATM kinase-dependent DNA damage response pathway in oxidative stress and impairs transcription of genes linked to signaling, migration and immune response. Identification of novel binding partners for these SUMO enzymes suggests an unsuspected role in cytoplasmic signaling complexes. During the second funding period, the Melchior team plans to dissect the molecular mechanisms that link SUMO enzyme oxidation to ATM-dependent processes and to follow up on the idea that the SUMO E1 enzyme is a component of specialized complexes with roles in signal transduction.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1036: Cellular Surveillance and Damage Response
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Frauke Melchior