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Review
. 2019 Apr 15;20(8):1853.
doi: 10.3390/ijms20081853.

SUMOylation in Glioblastoma: A Novel Therapeutic Target

Affiliations
Review

SUMOylation in Glioblastoma: A Novel Therapeutic Target

Brandon M Fox et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Protein SUMOylation is a dynamic post-translational modification which is involved in a diverse set of physiologic processes throughout the cell. Of note, SUMOylation also plays a role in the pathobiology of a myriad of cancers, one of which is glioblastoma (GBM). Accordingly, herein, we review core aspects of SUMOylation as it relates to GBM and in so doing highlight putative methods/modalities capable of therapeutically engaging the pathway for treatment of this deadly neoplasm.

Keywords: SUMO1-3; SUMOylation; glioblastoma (GBM); post-translational modifications (PTMs).

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Conflict of interest statement

J.D.B has positions/equity in CITC Ltd and Avidea Technologies.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Enhancement of SUMOylation in glioblastoma contributes to alterations in multiple cellular processes leading to an increased malignant phenotype. Glioblastoma displays an increase in E1 (SAE1), E2 (Ubc9), and E3 (PIAS1 and PIAS3) enzymes leading to global enhancement of SUMOylation and a resultant increase in the SUMOylation level of target proteins. Further, increased expression of SUMO-specific protease (SENP1) has been reported in glioblastoma. Presently, studies have implicated CDK6 and HIF-1α as important loci downstream of these effects that together contribute to cell cycle dysregulation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and heightened glycolytic metabolism. DNA double-strand break repair has additionally been associated with perturbations in SUMOylation. Together, these altered cellular processes give rise to an enhanced malignant phenotype in glioblastoma including uncontrolled growth, increased invasion and aggressiveness, a malignant bioenergetics profile with Warburg effect, and resistance to ionizing radiation. Targeting SUMOylation may represent a therapeutic approach to reverse the pathologic consequences of enhanced SUMOylation in glioblastoma. Available therapeutic agents known to inhibit SUMOylation are identified along with their targets in the SUMOylation pathway.

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