SUMO proteins: Guardians of immune system

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins belong to the ubiquitin-like family and act to change the function of target proteins through post-translational modifications. Through their interactions with innate immune pathways, SUMOs promote an efficient immune response to pathogenic challenge avoiding, at the same time, an excess of immune response that could lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. This report discusses the general functions of SUMO proteins; highlights SUMO involvement in the innate immune response through their role in NF-κB and interferon pathways; the involvement of SUMO proteins in autoimmune diseases; and reviews bacterial, viral, and parasitic interactions with SUMO pathways. In conclusion, we speculate that targeting SUMOs could represent a new therapeutic strategy against infections and autoimmunity.