SUMOylation Regulation of Retina Development and Functions

The structure and developmental mechanisms of vertebrate retina are highly conserved. One of the most distinctive events during retinogenesis is the temporally and spatially generation of seven types of retinal cells from the multipotent retinal progenitor cells. The importance and prevalence of SUMOylation in regulation of this process through modulation of gene expression and protein function diversity have been increasingly appreciated. Here, we review the biological significance of SUMOylation in retina development, examine how SUMOylation balances the proliferation and cell cycle exit of retinal progenitor cells, and finally discuss the molecular mechanisms mediating the specification of different retina neurons and photoreceptors through modulation of various transcription factors. The potential role of SUMOylation in normal retina function is illustrated by the abundant expression of key components of SUMOylation machinery in mouse retina, and is also exemplified by the highly conserved SUMOylation site on neurotransmission receptors in ganglion cells.