Affinity chromatography of native SUMO proteins using His-tagged recombinant UBC9 bound to Co2+-charged talon resin.

Four small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) genes have been identified in humans. The recently identified SUMO4 was detected in mRNA transcripts from HEK293 cells, and human kidney and spleen tissue and may be involved in regulation of NF-kappaB and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. However, identification and characterization of a native SUMO4 protein has not yet been reported.

A proline-90 residue unique to SUMO-4 prevents maturation and sumoylation.

Four small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) genes have been identified in humans. However, little is known about the basic biology of SUMO-4. Here, we report that SUMO-4 differs from SUMO-1, -2, and -3 in that the maturation process of SUMO-4 to active form containing C-terminal di-glycine residues is inhibited by a unique proline residue located at position 90 (Pro-90).

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.

A 212-kb region on chromosome 6q25 containing the TAB2 gene is associated with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes.

The IDDM5 gene, which is identified by whole-genome searches, is located on chromosome 6q25. TAB2 (MAP3K7IP2 [mitogen-activating protein kinase kinase kinase 7 interacting protein 2]) is a potential candidate gene for type 1 diabetes because it is located on chromosome 6q25 and is involved in nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB regulation. We have conducted familial association studies using 478 families and demonstrate that a type 1 diabetes susceptibility gene resides within a 212-kb region containing the TAB2 gene (Tsp = 1.

A M55V polymorphism in a novel SUMO gene (SUMO-4) differentially activates heat shock transcription factors and is associated with susceptibility to type I diabetes mellitus.

Three SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) genes have been identified in humans, which tag proteins to modulate subcellular localization and/or enhance protein stability and activity. We report the identification of a novel intronless SUMO gene, SUMO-4, that encodes a 95-amino acid protein having an 86% amino acid homology with SUMO-2. In contrast to SUMO-2, which is highly expressed in all of the tissues examined, SUMO-4 mRNA was detected mainly in the kidney.