Small ubiquitin-like modifier protein-specific protease 1 and prostate cancer.

Small ubiquitin-like modifier protein (SUMO) modification is a highly dynamic process, catalyzed by SUMO-specific activating (E1), conjugating (E2) and ligating (E3) enzymes, and reversed by a family of SUMO-specific proteases (SENPs). There are six members of the human SENP family, and each SENP has different cellular locations and substrate specificities. However, the precise roles of SENPs in cellular processes have not been elucidated to date. This brief review will focus on recent advances pertaining to the identified targets of SENP1 and its potential role in prostate cancer.