Acetylated Sumo Proteins

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Compositions and Methods for Detecting Acetylated Sumo Proteins Description     Monitoring chemotherapy and determining whether chemotherapy is appropriate for cancer patients has been a continuing challenge for physicians. The present invention utilizes antibodies which specifically bind to the acetylation domain small of ubiquitin-like modifier protein (SUMO) as a way to predict therapeutic responses, and therefore to assess whether or not chemotherapy is an appropriate course of action. Since SUMO moieties can either stimulate or inhibit cell proliferation, the present invention also provides a new method for monitoring p53 activity in tumors. The present invention is the first report demonstrating that SUMO is acetylated and that acetylation is important for inducing cell death, particularly during treatment with chemo-therapeutic agents. Thus, levels of acetylation can be used to predict the responsiveness of a tumor to a therapy. Advantages A novel non-invasive method to monitor therapeutic response during the course of chemotherapy as well as a novel method for predicting p53 activity in tumors A valuable research tool to understand tumor biology. Currently there is no known technology or invention which can predict SUMO activity and doing so at the low cost of an antibody is both valuable and practicable. Stage of Development Studies demonstrated that SUMO acetylatio increases when cells are treated with various classes of anti-tumor agents. In vivo studies in well-established murine models of oncogene and tumorigenesis showed acetylation of SUMO induces apoptosis. Further, studies are ongoing to validate the finding in human tissues. Relevant Publications Cheema A, et. Al. “Functional mimicry of the acetylated C-terminal tail of p53 by a SUMO-1 acetylated domain, SAD”. J. Cell Physiol. 2010 Nov; 225(2): 371-84 Patent Status Patent application filed