# Isolating Microbial Proteins That Regulate Cellular Protein Stability

> This patent identifies specific genetic sequences from microbes that produce proteins capable of modifying SUMO, a key molecule that controls how other proteins behave inside cells.

- **Patent:** US 7750134
- **Original title:** Nucleic acids encoding microbial SUMO protease homologs
- **Owner:** Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- **Granted:** 2010
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 6
- **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical

## What it does

The patent claims the specific genetic code (nucleic acid molecule) that instructs a cell to build a protein containing a SUMO-specific protease-like (SSP) domain. These proteins act like molecular scissors, cutting SUMO proteins away from other proteins to regulate their function or lifespan. By isolating these sequences, researchers can insert them into vectors—small vehicles used to deliver DNA—and introduce them into bacterial, yeast, or mammalian cells to study how these microbial enzymes affect cell health or disease.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover naturally occurring SUMO proteases found in humans or other animals.
- Does not cover the general concept of protein modification, only the specific sequences identified as SEQ ID NO:27.
- Does not cover diagnostic methods that do not utilize the specific SSP domain sequences defined in the claims.

## The clever bit

The inventors identified that diverse microorganisms, from common gut bacteria to parasites, possess enzymes structurally similar to human SUMO-proteases, suggesting these microbes use similar 'molecular switches' to survive.

## Real-world examples

1. Laboratory research on the protein-degradation pathways of pathogens like Salmonella.
2. Development of recombinant protein expression systems for biotechnology.

## Why it matters

SUMO (Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier) proteins are essential for managing protein traffic and stability in cells. Because many pathogens use these enzymes to manipulate host cells, identifying microbial versions of these proteins provides a roadmap for developing new antibiotics or anti-parasitic drugs that target the pathogen's ability to survive within a host.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does Isolating Microbial Proteins That Regulate Cellular Protein Stability cover?

This patent identifies specific genetic sequences from microbes that produce proteins capable of modifying SUMO, a key molecule that controls how other proteins behave inside cells.

### Who owns patent US 7750134?

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute owns this patent, granted in 2010.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on July 6, 2030, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What is patent US 7750134 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 6 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

SUMO (Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier) proteins are essential for managing protein traffic and stability in cells. Because many pathogens use these enzymes to manipulate host cells, identifying microbial versions of these proteins provides a roadmap for developing new antibiotics or anti-parasitic drugs that target the pathogen's ability to survive within a host.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover naturally occurring SUMO proteases found in humans or other animals.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7750134/imbruvica-ibrutinib

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US7750134

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._