Growth inhibition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by SUMO-specific nanobodies

  • Pavana Suresh
  • , Sun Zhen Yu Jim
  • , Ishani Sahay
  • , Allison Y. Tang
  • , Charlotte Wijne
  • , Jin Gan
  • , Novalia Pishesha
  • , Jose L. Avalos
  • , Hidde Ploegh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Four nanobodies (VHH1-4SMT3) that target the yeast SUMO protein Smt3p were isolated and characterized. VHH1-4SMT3 bind to Smt3p and Smt3p-tagged proteins with high affinity (Kd: low nM). NMR analysis shows that the four nanobodies all bind near the C-terminus of Smt3p, partially overlapping with the binding site for the SUMO protease Ulp1p. Binding of Smt3p-specific nanobodies impairs Ulp1-mediated cleavage of Smt3p-tagged proteins, with VHH1SMT3 showing complete inhibition. The use of immobilized VHH2SMT3 enabled efficient purification of Smt3p-tagged proteins, while VHH1SMT3 can be used for immunoblotting and detects both Smt3p-tagged and free Smt3p. When expressed in yeast, VHH1SMT3 causes significant growth defects, particularly when targeted to the nucleus or fused with GFP, indicative of interference with essential SUMOylation-dependent processes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number18368
JournalScientific reports
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2025
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

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