4. SUMO SIGNALLING REGULATION OF CHROMOSOME STRUCTURE AND DNA REPAIR 

  

We previously uncovered that SUMOylation facilitates resolution of recombination intermediates (Branzei et al., Cell, 2006; Sollier et al., Mol Biol Cell, 2009) and recombination pathway usage during replication (Branzei et al., Nature, 2008; Urulangodi et al, Genes Dev, 2015). We focused on understanding the principles of substrate degradation and recognition by Ulp2 SUMO protease and Slx5-Slx8, both of which present high affinity for substrates modified with SUMO chains.

We uncovered that Ulp2 safeguards DDK against Slx5/8-mediated proteasomal degradation and supports early steps of replication by antagonizing SUMO chain build-up that mediate degradation of DDK (Psakhye et al, Mol Cell, 2019). Currently, we are focusing on SUMO-mediated regulation of nucleases and the dynamics of SMC complexes.

Team members: Ivan Psakhye, Anja Waizenegger