The small ubiquitin-related modifier SUMO belongs to the growing family of ubiquitin-related proteins involved in post-translational protein modification. It is present in all eukaryotic kingdoms and is highly conserved from yeast to humans. Two ubiquitin like proteins, SUMO-2 and SUMO-3 have been identified that are related to SUMO-1 but which are functionally distinct. Whereas invertebrates have only one SUMO gene, three members of the SUMO family have been described in vertebrates, SUMO-1 and the close homologues SUMO-2 and SUMO-3 with some 50% homology between SUMO-1 and SUMO-2/3, and 86% identity between SUMO-2 and SUMO-3. The SUMO family members have a short N-terminal extension that is absent in ubiquitin, and the function of which is unknown and the sequence of which varies between the three family members. In vivo studies have indicated that PML is modified by SUMO-1 and SUMO-2/3, although the functional significance of SUMO-2/3 conjugation has not been revealed. Functional SUMO modification sites present in the N-terminal regions of SUMO-2 and SUMO-3 are utilised by SAE1/SAE2 (SUMO E1) and Ubc9 (SUMO E2) to form polymeric chains of SUMO-2 and SUMO-3 on protein substrates in vitro and SUMO-2 chains have been detected in vivo. The ability to form polymeric chains is not shared by SUMO-1. Thus, although all SUMO species share the same conjugation machinery, modification by SUMO-1 and SUMO2/3 has distinct functional consequences  which are only now beginning to be defined more clearly.

• For Immunoprecipitation, Western Blot

Recognizes human SUMO-2/3.

Type: Primary
Antigen: SUMO2
Clonality: Polyclonal
Clone:
Conjugation:
Epitope:
Host: Rabbit
Isotype:
Reactivity: Human