Overview:

UBLE1A (also known as SAE1) or SUMO1 activating enzyme subunit 1 is involved in regulating protein structure and intracellular localization. SAE1 and UBA2 form a heterodimer that functions as a SUMO-activating enzyme for the sumoylation of proteins (1). The SAE1/SAE2 dimer functions in SUMO1 activation in a manner analogous to the single E1 ubiquitin-activating enzymes. The SAE2 inactivation may be a therapeutic strategy in MYC-driven cancers (2).

References:

1. Okuma, T. et.al: In vitro SUMO-1 modification requires two enzymatic steps, E1 and E2. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 254: 693-698, 1999.

2. Kessler, J. D. et.al: A SUMOylation-dependent transcriptional subprogram is required for Myc-driven tumorigenesis. Science 335: 348-353, 2012.