SUMO modification regulates the transcriptional activity of XBP1

The UPR (unfolded protein response), a cellular defence mechanism against misfolded protein accumulation in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum), is associated with many human diseases such as aging, cancer and diabetes. XBP1 (X-box-binding protein 1), a key transcription factor of the UPR, is critical in maintaining ER homoeostasis. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which XBP1 transcriptional activity is regulated remains unexplored. In the present study we show that XBP1s, the active spliced form of XBP1 protein, is SUMOylated, mainly by PIAS2 [protein inhibitor of activated STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) 2] at two lysine residues located in the C-terminal transactivation domain. Ablation of these SUMOylation events significantly enhances the transcriptional activity of XBP1s towards UPR target genes. Thus our results reveal an unexpected role for SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) in the regulation of UPR activation and ER homoeostasis.