A novel cell-permeable peptide prevents protein SUMOylation and supports the mislocalization and aggregation of TDP-43

SUMOylation is a post-translational modification (PTM) that exerts a regulatory role in different cellular processes, including protein localization, aggregation, and biological activities. It consists of the dynamic formation of covalent isopeptide bonds between a family member of the Small Ubiquitin Like Modifiers (SUMOs) and the target proteins. Interestingly, it is a cellular mechanism implicated in several neurodegenerative pathologies and potentially it could become a new therapeutic target; however, there are very few pharmacological tools to modulate the SUMOylation process. In this study, we have designed and tested the activity of a novel small cell-permeable peptide, COV-1, in a neuroblastoma cell line that specifically prevents protein SUMOylation. COV-1 inhibits UBC9-protein target interaction and efficiently decreases global SUMO-1ylation. Moreover, it can perturb RanGAP-1 perinuclear localization by inducing the downregulation of UBC9. In parallel, we found that COV-1 causes an increase in the ubiquitin degradation system up to its engulfment while enhancing the autophagic flux. Surprisingly, COV-1 modifies protein aggregation, and specifically it mislocalizes TDP-43 within cells, inducing its aggregation and co-localization with SUMO-1. These data suggest that COV-1 could be taken into future consideration as an interesting pharmacological tool to study the cellular cascade effects of SUMOylation prevention.