SUMO pathway components as possible cancer biomarkers

SUMOylation is a key post-translational modification that regulates crucial cellular functions and pathological processes. Recently, Small Ubiquitin-related MOdifier (SUMO) modification has emerged as a fundamental route that may drive different steps of human tumorigenesis. Indeed, alteration in expression or activity of one of the different SUMO pathway components may completely subvert cellular properties through fine-tuning modulation of protein(s) involved in carcinogenic pathways, leading to altered cell proliferation, apoptosis resistance and metastatic potential. Here we describe some of the most interesting findings pointing to a clear link between SUMO pathway and human malignancies. Importantly, a putative role for SUMO enzymes to predict cancer behavior can be speculated, and thus the possible application of alterations in SUMO pathway components as tumor biomarkers is discussed.