SUMO paralogues differentially affect phase separation and aggregation of intrinsically disordered proteins

Abstract SUMO, the small ubiquitin-like modifier, modulates interactions of folded proteins, but also affects the dynamics of biomolecular condensates. Moreover, SUMO can directly impinge on the biophysical properties of its targets, often increasing their solubility. TDP-43 is an RNA-binding protein containing an intrinsically disordered domain that participates in protein phase separation. Its aggregation, linked to neurodegenerative diseases, is counteracted by SUMOylation, but the underlying principles are poorly understood. We now reveal distinct mechanisms of how the two isoforms, SUMO1 and SUMO2, act on TDP-43. While SUMO1 inhibits phase separation by blocking TDP-43’s self-assembly site, SUMO2 enhances phase separation via proximity-induced self-interaction involving its N-terminus and promotes a liquid-like state that prevents aggregation. The latter represents a general principle by which SUMO solubilises other targets. Our findings provide insight into how SUMOylation regulates transitions between soluble, liquid-like and aggregated states.