SuPr-1-mediated desumoylation regulates the repressor activity of DeltaNp63alpha.

DeltaNp63alpha is exclusively expressed in stem cells and progenitor cells of the stratified epithelia. It promotes cell proliferation by antagonizing p53 and related TAp63/TAp73. Here, we report that specific desumoylation by SUMO protease SuPr-1 provides a fine-tuning mechanism for DeltaNp63alpha repressor activity.