Regulation of Lens Differentiation by Sumoylation with SUMO1/2/3

Abstract

Purpose: : Previous studies have shown that SUMO1/2/3-mediated modification of proteins plays an important role in cell differentiation. Whether SUMO1/2/3-mediated sumoylation is involved in regulation of lens differentiation remains to be investigated.

Methods: : Both in vitro and in vivo sumoylation reactions were conducted to determine if lens proteins could be sumoylated. The sumoylation status of various lens proteins were analyzed by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The functions of individual SUMO factors were tested by overexpression and knockdown studies.

Results: : During mouse lens development, SUMO1/2/3 were differentially expressed at different embryonic stages. Various lens proteins were differentially sumoylated by SUMO1 and SUMO2/3. Sumoylation of various transcription factors including Pax-6, SP-1, c-Maf and Prox-1 are necessary for regulating lens differentiation.

Conclusions: : Sumoylation via SUMO1/2/3 plays an importation in lens differentiation

Keywords: cataract • differentiation • transcription factors