Small GTPases function as molecular switches in living organisms, cycling between GTP-bound active state and GDP-bound inactive state. Our objective is to elucidate the downstream and upstream regulatory mechanisms of small GTPases in cells under both physiological and pathological conditions, toward curing diseases such as nerve injury, cancer metastasis, and retinal degeneration.
Protein modification by SUMO conjugation (SUMOylation) in mammalian cell nuclei has emerged as an important modification sufficient to alter chromatin structure and transcription activity. We also study to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of transcription and dynamics of the nuclear envelope during cell cycle through SUMOylation.