Small ubiquitin‐like modifier 1–3 is activated in human astrocytic brain tumors and is required for glioblastoma cell survival

Small ubiquitin‐like modifier ( SUMO 1–3) constitutes a group of proteins that conjugate to lysine residues of target proteins thereby modifying their activity, stability, and subcellular localization. A large number of SUMO target proteins are transcription factors and other nuclear proteins involved in gene expression. Furthermore, SUMO conjugation plays key roles in genome stability, quality control of newly synthesized proteins, proteasomal degradation of proteins, and DNA damage repair. Any marked increase in levels of SUMO ‐conjugated proteins is therefore expected to have a major impact on the fate of cells. We show here that SUMO conjugation is activated in human astrocytic brain tumors. Levels of both SUMO 1‐ and SUMO 2/3‐conjugated proteins were markedly increased in tumor samples. The effect was least pronounced in low‐grade astrocytoma ( WHO G rade II ) and most pronounced in glioblastoma multiforme ( WHO G rade IV ). We also found a marked rise in levels of U bc9, the only SUMO conjugation enzyme identified so far. Blocking SUMO 1–3 conjugation in glioblastoma cells by silencing their expression blocked DNA synthesis, cell growth, and clonogenic survival of cells. It also resulted in DNA ‐dependent protein kinase‐induced phosphorylation of H 2 AX , indicative of DNA double‐strand damage, and G 2 / M cell cycle arrest. Collectively, these findings highlight the pivotal role of SUMO conjugation in DNA damage repair processes and imply that the SUMO conjugation pathway could be a new target of therapeutic intervention aimed at increasing the sensitivity of glioblastomas to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. ( Cancer Sci 2013; 104: 70–77)