Reconstituting posttranslational modification with SUMO in vitro is an essential tool in the analysis of sumoylation. In this article, we provide detailed protocols that allow to set up and perform sumoylation reactions using a purified recombinant sumoylation machinery. The protocols include purification of the SUMO E1 enzyme His-Aos1/Uba2, untagged E2 enzyme Ubc9, untagged SUMO, and the RanBP2 E3 ligase fragment IR1 + M. Using these components, we provide step-by-step instructions to set up sumoylation reactions. Two established SUMO model substrates, His-RanGAPtail and HisYFP-Sp100, complement the described tool box; these proteins serve as positive controls in E3 ligase-independent and -dependent sumoylation reactions and are valuable instruments to adjust the reaction conditions if necessary.

Edited by Ivan SadowskiRhythmic changes in light and temperature conditions form the primary environmental cues that synchronize the molecular circadian clock of most species with the external cycles of day and night. Previous studies established a role for the CREB-binding protein (CBP) in molecular clock function by coactivation of circadian transcription. Here, we report that moderately increased levels of CBP strongly dampen circadian behavioural rhythms without affecting molecular oscillations of circadian transcription. Interestingly, light-dark cycles as well as high temperature facilitated a circadian control of behavioural activity. Based on these observations we propose that in addition to its coactivator function for circadian transcription, CBP is involved in the regulation of circadian behaviour down-stream of the circadian clock.