Int. J. Dev. Biol. 61: 159 - 164 (2017)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.160388LB

Vol 61, Issue 3-4-5

Special Issue: Developmental Biology in Israel

The SUMO system in Caenorhabditis elegans development

Published: 2 June 2017

Limor Broday*

Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

Abstract

SUMO, a small ubiquitin-like modifier, is a highly conserved post translational modification and a central regulatory system in eukaryotes. Sumoylation modulates the activities of multiple proteins, mainly in the nucleus, such as transcription factors, chromatin modifiers, and proteins involved in DNA replication and repair. However, SUMO also modifies substrates in the cytoplasm, mitochondria, plasma and ER membrane. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the functions of sumoylation in C. elegans development. SUMO modification is highly reversible and several examples described here establish its function as a molecular switch during embryogenesis and postembryonic organogenesis.

Keywords

SUMO, post translational modifications, C. elegans