A functional variant of SUMO4, a new I kappa B alpha modifier, is associated with type 1 diabetes

Repression and coactivation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein epsilon by sumoylation and protein inhibitor of activated STATx proteins

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein epsilon (C/EBPepsilon) is a neutrophil-specific transcription factor whose activity is controlled by juxtaposed activating and regulatory domains. We previously determined that the function of the major regulatory domain (RD1) in C/EBPepsilon was dependent on the integrity of a five-amino acid motif that was identical to the recognition site for members of the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) family of ubiquitin-related proteins. We show here that the SUMO attachment site (the regulatory domain motif) is necessary and sufficient both for the intrinsic inhibitory function of RD1 and for coactivation by PIASxalpha and PIASxbeta, two members of the protein inhibitor of activated STAT (PIAS) family of SUMO E3 ligases. PIASxbeta was a more potent coactivator than PIASxalpha of both full-length C/EBPepsilon and fusion proteins containing the N-terminal portion of C/EBPepsilon, whereas PIASxalpha was more active on fusion proteins containing a heterologous activation domain. Two modes of coactivation were observed, one that was dependent on the integrity of the RING finger (RF) domain and was shared by both PIASxalpha and PIASxbeta and a second mode that was independent of the RF and was only observed with PIASxbeta. Sumoylation of C/EBPepsilon was enhanced by coexpression of PIASxalpha, suggesting that this modification is associated with the enhanced activity of the target protein. These results suggest that a complex interplay of accessory factors, including SUMO and PIAS proteins, modulates the activity of C/EBPepsilon.

Endogenous Inhibitors of Nuclear Factor-κB, An Opportunity for Cancer Control: Fig. 1

Excessive and prolonged activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) has been linked to numerous human diseases, especially cancer, because of the elevated expression of genes encoding antiapoptotic proteins, cytokines, chemokines, cell adhesion molecules, and so on. Eukaryotic cells have developed multiple mechanisms to keep this ubiquitous transcription factor in check. In addition to the inhibitor of kappaB family proteins, a number of endogenous molecules that negatively regulate the activation or activity of NF-kappaB have been identified. These molecules include A20, CYLD, cyPG15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2), Foxj1, Twist proteins, and beta-arrestins. The extended list of these endogenous inhibitors of NF-kappaB may provide new opportunities for the development of novel strategies for the intervention of malignant transformation. The question to be asked is how NF-kappaB is sustained activated in a number of cancers in which so many antagonists are surrounded.

Association of a CAG/CAA repeat sequence in the TBP gene with type I diabetes

Type I diabetes is a complex disease in which multiple susceptibility loci have been implicated by whole genome scans. IDDM8, a susceptibility locus, is located on chromosome 6q27, however the specific susceptibility gene has yet to be identified. We have examined five potential candidate genes using 36 genetic markers, spanning 360kb located near the chromosome 6q27 terminus in 478 families for diabetes association. No associations with type I diabetes susceptibility were detected with the strength previously observed for IDDM1 or IDDM2. However, a novel CAG/CAA polymorphism was detected in exon 3 of the TATA box-binding protein gene, which shows preliminary evidence of association with diabetes susceptibility (p<0.05).