The small
ubiquitin-related modification molecule (SUMO), one of the post-translational modification molecules, is involved in a variety of cellular functions where it regulates
protein activity and stability, transcription, and cell cycling. Modulation of
protein SUMOylation or deSUMOylation modification has been associated with regulation of
carcinogenesis in
breast cancer. In the dynamic processes of SUMOylation and deSUMOylation in a variety of
cancers, SUMO
proteases (SENPs), reverse SUMOylation by
isopeptidase activity and SENPs are mostly elevated, and are related to poor patient prognosis. Although underlying mechanisms have been suggested for how SENPs participate in
breast cancer tumorigenesis, such as through regulation of target
protein transactivation,
cancer cell survival, cell cycle, or other post-translational modification-related machinery recruitment, the effect of
SENP isoform-specific inhibitors on the progression of
breast cancer have not been well evaluated. This review will introduce the functions of SENP1 and SENP2 and the underlying signaling pathways in
breast cancer for use in discovery of new
biomarkers for diagnosis or therapeutic targets for treatment. [BMB Reports 2019; 52(2): 113-118].