1
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Imler JL, Cai H, Meignin C, Martins N. Evolutionary immunology to explore original antiviral strategies. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230068. [PMID: 38497262 PMCID: PMC10945398 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past 25 years, the field of evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) has used genomics and genetics to gain insight on the developmental mechanisms underlying the evolution of morphological diversity of animals. Evo-devo exploits the key insight that conserved toolkits of development (e.g. Hox genes) are used in animals to produce genetic novelties that provide adaptation to a new environment. Like development, immunity is forged by interactions with the environment, namely the microbial world. Yet, when it comes to the study of immune defence mechanisms in invertebrates, interest primarily focuses on evolutionarily conserved molecules also present in humans. Here, focusing on antiviral immunity, we argue that immune genes not conserved in humans represent an unexplored resource for the discovery of new antiviral strategies. We review recent findings on the cGAS-STING pathway and explain how cyclic dinucleotides produced by cGAS-like receptors may be used to investigate the portfolio of antiviral genes in a broad range of species. This will set the stage for evo-immuno approaches, exploiting the investment in antiviral defences made by metazoans over hundreds of millions of years of evolution. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sculpting the microbiome: how host factors determine and respond to microbial colonization'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Luc Imler
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Strasbourg 67070, France
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Cai
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Carine Meignin
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Strasbourg 67070, France
| | - Nelson Martins
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Strasbourg 67070, France
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2
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Xie F, Zhu Q. The regulation of cGAS-STING signaling by RNA virus-derived components. Virol J 2024; 21:101. [PMID: 38693578 PMCID: PMC11064393 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02359-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) serves as a key innate immune signaling axis involved in the regulation of various human diseases. It has been found that cGAS-STING pathway can recognize a variety of cytosolic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), contributing to cause a robust type I interferon response thereby affecting the occurrence and progression of viral infection. Accumulating evidence indicates RNA virus-derived components play an important role in regulating cGAS-STING signaling, either as protective or pathogenic factors in the pathogenesis of diseases. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the function of RNA virus-derived components in regulating cGAS-STING signaling will provide insights into developing novel therapies. Here, we review the existing literature on cGAS-STING pathway regulated by RNA virus-derived components to propose insights into pharmacologic strategies targeting the cGAS-STING pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiting Xie
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310006, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Qiugang Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shangyu People's Hospital of Shaoxing, Shaoxing, China
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3
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Klima M, Dejmek M, Duchoslav V, Eisenreichova A, Sala M, Chalupsky K, Chalupska D, Novotná B, Birkuš G, Nencka R, Boura E. Fluorinated cGAMP analogs, which act as STING agonists and are not cleavable by poxins: Structural basis of their function. Structure 2024; 32:433-439.e4. [PMID: 38325369 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2024.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The cGAS-STING pathway is a crucial part of innate immunity; it serves to detect DNA in the cytoplasm and to defend against certain cancers, viruses, and bacteria. We designed and synthesized fluorinated carbocyclic cGAMP analogs, MD1203 and MD1202D (MDs), to enhance their stability and their affinity for STING. These compounds demonstrated exceptional activity against STING. Despite their distinct chemical modifications relative to the canonical cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs), crystallographic analysis revealed a binding mode with STING that was consistent with the canonical CDNs. Importantly, MDs were resistant to cleavage by viral poxin nucleases and MDs-bound poxin adopted an unliganded-like conformation. Moreover, MDs complexed with poxin showed a conformation distinct from cGAMP bound to poxin, closely resembling their conformation when bound to STING. In conclusion, the development of MD1203 and MD1202D showcases their potential as potent STING activators with remarkable stability against poxin-mediated degradation-a crucial characteristic for future development of antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Klima
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Dejmek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Duchoslav
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Eisenreichova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Sala
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Chalupsky
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Dominika Chalupska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Novotná
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Gabriel Birkuš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Nencka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Evzen Boura
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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4
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Wenzl SJ, de Oliveira Mann CC. How enzyme-centered approaches are advancing research on cyclic oligo-nucleotides. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:839-863. [PMID: 38453162 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Cyclic nucleotides are the most diversified category of second messengers and are found in all organisms modulating diverse pathways. While cAMP and cGMP have been studied over 50 years, cyclic di-nucleotide signaling in eukaryotes emerged only recently with the anti-viral molecule 2´3´cGAMP. Recent breakthrough discoveries have revealed not only the astonishing chemical diversity of cyclic nucleotides but also surprisingly deep-rooted evolutionary origins of cyclic oligo-nucleotide signaling pathways and structural conservation of the proteins involved in their synthesis and signaling. Here we discuss how enzyme-centered approaches have paved the way for the identification of several cyclic nucleotide signals, focusing on the advantages and challenges associated with deciphering the activation mechanisms of such enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J Wenzl
- Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Carina C de Oliveira Mann
- Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
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5
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Walsh D. Primal FEAR protects against infection. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:886-888. [PMID: 38538831 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01649-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Derek Walsh
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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6
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Hou Y, Wang Z, Liu P, Wei X, Zhang Z, Fan S, Zhang L, Han F, Song Y, Chu L, Zhang C. SMPDL3A is a cGAMP-degrading enzyme induced by LXR-mediated lipid metabolism to restrict cGAS-STING DNA sensing. Immunity 2023; 56:2492-2507.e10. [PMID: 37890481 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Lipid metabolism has been associated with the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP)-AMP synthase (cGAS) stimulator of interferon genes (STING) DNA-sensing pathway, but our understanding of how these signals are integrated into a cohesive immunometabolic program is lacking. Here, we have identified liver X receptor (LXR) agonists as potent inhibitors of STING signaling. We show that stimulation of lipid metabolism by LXR agonists specifically suppressed cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP)-STING signaling. Moreover, we developed cyclic dinucleotide-conjugated beads to biochemically isolate host effectors for cGAMP inhibition, and we found that LXR ligands stimulated the expression of sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase acid-like 3A (SMPDL3A), which is a 2'3'-cGAMP-degrading enzyme. Results of crystal structures suggest that cGAMP analog induces dimerization of SMPDL3A, and the dimerization is critical for cGAMP degradation. Additionally, we have provided evidence that SMPDL3A cleaves cGAMP to restrict STING signaling in cell culture and mouse models. Our results reveal SMPDL3A as a cGAMP-specific nuclease and demonstrate a mechanism for how LXR-associated lipid metabolism modulates STING-mediated innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfei Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhimeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Peiyuan Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xubiao Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China; State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhengyin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Shilong Fan
- Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lulu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Fangping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yikang Song
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ling Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Conggang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China.
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7
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Seifert R, Bugert JJ. cCMP and cUMP phosphodiesterases in viral infections. Trends Biochem Sci 2023; 48:835-838. [PMID: 37365086 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2023.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
In bacteria, cCMP and cUMP have a key role in defense against infection with bacterial viruses. Bacteriophages encode phosphodiesterases (PDEs; 'nucleases'; Apyc1), which cleave cCMP/cUMP, counteracting this defense. We propose that PDEs are of broader biological relevance, including cCMP/cUMP-cleaving PDEs of eukaryotic viruses, which may constitute new drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Seifert
- Institute of Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Joachim J Bugert
- Institute of Microbiology of the Bundeswehr, Neuherbergstrasse 11, D-80937 Munich, Germany
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8
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Podvalnaya N, Bronkhorst AW, Lichtenberger R, Hellmann S, Nischwitz E, Falk T, Karaulanov E, Butter F, Falk S, Ketting RF. piRNA processing by a trimeric Schlafen-domain nuclease. Nature 2023; 622:402-409. [PMID: 37758951 PMCID: PMC10567574 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06588-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Transposable elements are genomic parasites that expand within and spread between genomes1. PIWI proteins control transposon activity, notably in the germline2,3. These proteins recognize their targets through small RNA co-factors named PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), making piRNA biogenesis a key specificity-determining step in this crucial genome immunity system. Although the processing of piRNA precursors is an essential step in this process, many of the molecular details remain unclear. Here, we identify an endoribonuclease, precursor of 21U RNA 5'-end cleavage holoenzyme (PUCH), that initiates piRNA processing in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetic and biochemical studies show that PUCH, a trimer of Schlafen-like-domain proteins (SLFL proteins), executes 5'-end piRNA precursor cleavage. PUCH-mediated processing strictly requires a 7-methyl-G cap (m7G-cap) and a uracil at position three. We also demonstrate how PUCH interacts with PETISCO, a complex that binds to piRNA precursors4, and that this interaction enhances piRNA production in vivo. The identification of PUCH concludes the search for the 5'-end piRNA biogenesis factor in C. elegans and uncovers a type of RNA endonuclease formed by three SLFL proteins. Mammalian Schlafen (SLFN) genes have been associated with immunity5, exposing a molecular link between immune responses in mammals and deeply conserved RNA-based mechanisms that control transposable elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezda Podvalnaya
- Biology of Non-coding RNA group, Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
- International PhD Programme on Gene Regulation, Epigenetics & Genome Stability, Mainz, Germany
| | - Alfred W Bronkhorst
- Biology of Non-coding RNA group, Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
| | - Raffael Lichtenberger
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter Campus (VBC), Vienna, Austria
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Center for Molecular Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Svenja Hellmann
- Biology of Non-coding RNA group, Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
| | - Emily Nischwitz
- International PhD Programme on Gene Regulation, Epigenetics & Genome Stability, Mainz, Germany
- Quantitative Proteomics group, Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
| | - Torben Falk
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter Campus (VBC), Vienna, Austria
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Center for Molecular Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Emil Karaulanov
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
| | - Falk Butter
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Center for Molecular Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sebastian Falk
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter Campus (VBC), Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Center for Molecular Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - René F Ketting
- Biology of Non-coding RNA group, Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany.
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
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9
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Slavik KM, Kranzusch PJ. CBASS to cGAS-STING: The Origins and Mechanisms of Nucleotide Second Messenger Immune Signaling. Annu Rev Virol 2023; 10:423-453. [PMID: 37380187 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-111821-115636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Host defense against viral pathogens is an essential function for all living organisms. In cell-intrinsic innate immunity, dedicated sensor proteins recognize molecular signatures of infection and communicate to downstream adaptor or effector proteins to activate immune defense. Remarkably, recent evidence demonstrates that much of the core machinery of innate immunity is shared across eukaryotic and prokaryotic domains of life. Here, we review a pioneering example of evolutionary conservation in innate immunity: the animal cGAS-STING (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes) signaling pathway and its ancestor in bacteria, CBASS (cyclic nucleotide-based antiphage signaling system) antiphage defense. We discuss the unique mechanism by which animal cGLRs (cGAS-like receptors) and bacterial CD-NTases (cGAS/dinucleotide-cyclase in Vibrio (DncV)-like nucleotidyltransferases) in these pathways link pathogen detection with immune activation using nucleotide second messenger signals. Comparing the biochemical, structural, and mechanistic details of cGAS-STING, cGLR signaling, and CBASS, we highlight emerging questions in the field and examine evolutionary pressures that may have shaped the origins of nucleotide second messenger signaling in antiviral defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailey M Slavik
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Philip J Kranzusch
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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10
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Cai H, Li L, Slavik KM, Huang J, Yin T, Ai X, Hédelin L, Haas G, Xiang Z, Yang Y, Li X, Chen Y, Wei Z, Deng H, Chen D, Jiao R, Martins N, Meignin C, Kranzusch PJ, Imler JL. The virus-induced cyclic dinucleotide 2'3'-c-di-GMP mediates STING-dependent antiviral immunity in Drosophila. Immunity 2023; 56:1991-2005.e9. [PMID: 37659413 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, the enzyme cGAS senses the presence of cytosolic DNA and synthesizes the cyclic dinucleotide (CDN) 2'3'-cGAMP, which triggers STING-dependent immunity. In Drosophila melanogaster, two cGAS-like receptors (cGLRs) produce 3'2'-cGAMP and 2'3'-cGAMP to activate STING. We explored CDN-mediated immunity in 14 Drosophila species covering 50 million years of evolution and found that 2'3'-cGAMP and 3'2'-cGAMP failed to control infection by Drosophila C virus in D. serrata and two other species. We discovered diverse CDNs produced in a cGLR-dependent manner in response to viral infection in D. melanogaster, including 2'3'-c-di-GMP. This CDN was a more potent STING agonist than cGAMP in D. melanogaster and it also activated a strong antiviral transcriptional response in D. serrata. Our results shed light on the evolution of cGLRs in flies and provide a basis for understanding the function and regulation of this emerging family of pattern recognition receptors in animal innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Cai
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Lihua Li
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kailey M Slavik
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jingxian Huang
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Yin
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianlong Ai
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Léna Hédelin
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Gabrielle Haas
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Zhangmin Xiang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Ambient Mass Spectrometry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Measurement and Emergency Test Technology, Institute of Analysis, Guangdong Academy of Sciences (China National Analytical Center Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunyun Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Ambient Mass Spectrometry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Measurement and Emergency Test Technology, Institute of Analysis, Guangdong Academy of Sciences (China National Analytical Center Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuqiang Chen
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziming Wei
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huimin Deng
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Di Chen
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Renjie Jiao
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nelson Martins
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Carine Meignin
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Philip J Kranzusch
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Jean-Luc Imler
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
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11
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Tak U, Walth P, Whiteley AT. Bacterial cGAS-like enzymes produce 2',3'-cGAMP to activate an ion channel that restricts phage replication. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.24.550367. [PMID: 37546940 PMCID: PMC10402079 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.24.550367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian innate immune system uses cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) to synthesize the cyclic dinucleotide 2',3'-cGAMP during antiviral and antitumor immune responses. 2',3'-cGAMP is a nucleotide second messenger that initiates inflammatory signaling by binding to and activating the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) receptor. Bacteria also encode cGAS/DncV-like nucleotidyltransferases (CD-NTases) that produce nucleotide second messengers to initiate antiviral (antiphage) signaling. Bacterial CD-NTases produce a wide range of cyclic oligonucleotides but have not been documented to produce 2',3'-cGAMP. Here we discovered bacterial CD-NTases that produce 2',3'-cGAMP to restrict phage replication. Bacterial 2',3'-cGAMP binds to CD-NTase associated protein 14 (Cap14), a transmembrane protein of unknown function. Using electrophysiology, we show that Cap14 is a chloride-selective ion channel that is activated by 2',3'-cGAMP binding. Cap14 adopts a modular architecture, with an N-terminal transmembrane domain and a C-terminal nucleotide-binding SAVED domain. Domain-swapping experiments demonstrated the Cap14 transmembrane region could be substituted with a nuclease, thereby generating a biosensor that is selective for 2',3'-cGAMP. This study reveals that 2',3'-cGAMP signaling extends beyond metazoa to bacteria. Further, our findings suggest that transmembrane proteins of unknown function in bacterial immune pathways may broadly function as nucleotide-gated ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uday Tak
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Peace Walth
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Aaron T. Whiteley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
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12
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Duchoslav V, Boura E. Structure of monkeypox virus poxin: implications for drug design. Arch Virol 2023; 168:192. [PMID: 37378908 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05824-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Monkeypox, or mpox, is a disease that has recently resurfaced and spread across the globe. Despite the availability of an FDA-approved vaccine (JYNNEOS) and an effective drug (tecovirimat), concerns remain over the possible recurrence of a viral pandemic. Like any other virus, mpox virus must overcome the immune system to replicate. Viruses have evolved various strategies to overcome both innate and adaptive immunity. Poxviruses possess an unusual nuclease, poxin, which cleaves 2'-3'-cGAMP, a cyclic dinucleotide, which is an important second messenger in the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Here, we present the crystal structure of mpox poxin. The structure reveals a conserved, predominantly β-sheet fold and highlights the high conservation of the cGAMP binding site and of the catalytic residues His17, Tyr138, and Lys142. This research suggests that poxin inhibitors could be effective against multiple poxviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vojtech Duchoslav
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Evzen Boura
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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Coderch C, Arranz-Herrero J, Nistal-Villan E, de Pascual-Teresa B, Rius-Rocabert S. The Many Ways to Deal with STING. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109032. [PMID: 37240378 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an adaptor protein involved in the activation of IFN-β and many other genes associated with the immune response activation in vertebrates. STING induction has gained attention from different angles such as the potential to trigger an early immune response against different signs of infection and cell damage, or to be used as an adjuvant in cancer immune treatments. Pharmacological control of aberrant STING activation can be used to mitigate the pathology of some autoimmune diseases. The STING structure has a well-defined ligand binding site that can harbor natural ligands such as specific purine cyclic di-nucleotides (CDN). In addition to a canonical stimulation by CDNs, other non-canonical stimuli have also been described, whose exact mechanism has not been well defined. Understanding the molecular insights underlying the activation of STING is important to realize the different angles that need to be considered when designing new STING-binding molecules as therapeutic drugs since STING acts as a versatile platform for immune modulators. This review analyzes the different determinants of STING regulation from the structural, molecular, and cell biology points of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Coderch
- Departamento de Química y Bioquímica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28668 Boadilla del Monte, Spain
| | - Javier Arranz-Herrero
- Transplant Immunology Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain
- Departamento CC, Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28668 Boadilla del Monte, Spain
- Institute of Applied Molecular Medicine (IMMA), Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28668 Boadilla del Monte, Spain
| | - Estanislao Nistal-Villan
- Departamento CC, Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28668 Boadilla del Monte, Spain
- Institute of Applied Molecular Medicine (IMMA), Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28668 Boadilla del Monte, Spain
| | - Beatriz de Pascual-Teresa
- Departamento de Química y Bioquímica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28668 Boadilla del Monte, Spain
| | - Sergio Rius-Rocabert
- Departamento CC, Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28668 Boadilla del Monte, Spain
- Institute of Applied Molecular Medicine (IMMA), Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28668 Boadilla del Monte, Spain
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14
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Cai H, Li L, Slavik K, Huang J, Yin T, Hédelin L, Xiang Z, Yang Y, Li X, Chen Y, Wei Z, Deng H, Chen D, Jiao R, Martins N, Meignin C, Kranzusch P, Imler JL. A novel virus-induced cyclic dinucleotide, 2'3'-c-di-GMP, mediates STING-dependent antiviral immunity in Drosophila. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.08.539652. [PMID: 37214844 PMCID: PMC10197528 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.08.539652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, the enzyme cGAS senses the presence of cytosolic DNA and synthesizes the cyclic dinucleotide (CDN) 2'3'-cGAMP. This CDN binds to and activates the protein STING to trigger immunity. We recently discovered in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster two cGAS-like receptors (cGLRs) that activate STING-dependent antiviral immunity and can produce 3'2'-cGAMP, in addition to 2'3'-cGAMP. Here we explore CDN-mediated immunity in 14 different Drosophila species covering 50 million years of evolution and report that 2'3'-cGAMP and 3'2'-cGAMP fail to control infection by Drosophila C virus in D. serrata, D. sechellia and D. mojavensis . Using an accurate and sensitive mass spectrometry method, we discover an unexpected diversity of CDNs produced in a cGLR-dependent manner in response to viral infection in D. melanogaster , including a novel CDN, 2'3'-c-di-GMP. We show that 2'3'-c-di-GMP is the most potent STING agonist identified so far in D. melanogaster and that this molecule also activates a strong antiviral transcriptional response in D. serrata . Our results shed light on the evolution of cGLRs in flies and provide a basis for the understanding of the function and regulation of this emerging family of PRRs in animal innate immunity.
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15
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Riederer S, Del Canizo A, Navas J, Peter MG, Link EK, Sutter G, Rojas JJ. Improving poxvirus-mediated antitumor immune responses by deleting viral cGAMP-specific nuclease. Cancer Gene Ther 2023:10.1038/s41417-023-00610-5. [PMID: 37016144 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00610-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
cGAMP-specific nucleases (poxins) are a recently described family of proteins dedicated to obstructing cyclic GMP-AMP synthase signaling (cGAS), an important sensor triggered by cytoplasmic viral replication that activates type I interferon (IFN) production. The B2R gene of vaccinia viruses (VACV) codes for one of these nucleases. Here, we evaluated the effects of inactivating the VACV B2 nuclease in the context of an oncolytic VACV. VACV are widely used as anti-cancer vectors due to their capacity to activate immune responses directed against tumor antigens. We aimed to elicit robust antitumor immunity by preventing viral inactivation of the cGAS/STING/IRF3 pathway after infection of cancer cells. Activation of such a pathway is associated with a dominant T helper 1 (Th1) cell differentiation of the response, which benefits antitumor outcomes. Deletion of the B2R gene resulted in enhanced IRF3 phosphorylation and type I IFN expression after infection of tumor cells, while effective VACV replication remained unimpaired, both in vitro and in vivo. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, the absence of the VACV cGAMP-specific nuclease translated into improved antitumor activity, which was associated with antitumor immunity directed against tumor epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Riederer
- Division of Virology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ana Del Canizo
- Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapies, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona-UB, Barcelona, Spain
- Immunity, Inflammation, and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Navas
- Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapies, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona-UB, Barcelona, Spain
- Immunity, Inflammation, and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marlowe G Peter
- Division of Virology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ellen K Link
- Division of Virology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerd Sutter
- Division of Virology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Juan J Rojas
- Division of Virology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapies, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona-UB, Barcelona, Spain.
- Immunity, Inflammation, and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
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16
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Yin M, Kuang W, Wang Q, Wang X, Yuan C, Lin Z, Zhang H, Deng F, Jiang H, Gong P, Zou Z, Hu Z, Wang M. Dual roles and evolutionary implications of P26/poxin in antagonizing intracellular cGAS-STING and extracellular melanization immunity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6934. [PMID: 36376305 PMCID: PMC9663721 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34761-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
P26, a homolog of the viral-encoded nuclease poxin that neutralizes the cGAS-STING innate immunity, is widely distributed in various invertebrate viruses, lepidopteran insects, and parasitoid wasps. P26/poxin from certain insect viruses also retains protease activity, though its biological role remains unknown. Given that many P26s contain a signal peptide, it is surmised that P26 may possess certain extracellular functions. Here, we report that a secretory baculoviral P26 suppresses melanization, a prominent insect innate immunity against pathogen invasion. P26 targets the cofactor of a prophenoloxidase-activating protease, and its inhibitory function is independent of nuclease activity. The analysis of P26/poxin homologs from different origins suggests that the ability to inhibit the extracellular melanization pathway is limited to P26s with a signal peptide and not shared by the homologs without it. These findings highlight the independent evolution of a single viral suppressor to perform dual roles in modulating immunity during virus-host adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyi Yin
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhua Kuang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Qianran Wang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xi Wang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Chuanfei Yuan
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhe Lin
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huanyu Zhang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Fei Deng
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Haobo Jiang
- grid.65519.3e0000 0001 0721 7331Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK USA
| | - Peng Gong
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhen Zou
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihong Hu
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Manli Wang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
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17
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Conrad SJ, Raza T, Peterson EA, Liem J, Connor R, Nounamo B, Cannon M, Liu J. Myxoma virus lacking the host range determinant M062 stimulates cGAS-dependent type 1 interferon response and unique transcriptomic changes in human monocytes/macrophages. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010316. [PMID: 36103568 PMCID: PMC9473615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolutionarily successful poxviruses possess effective and diverse strategies to circumvent or overcome host defense mechanisms. Poxviruses encode many immunoregulatory proteins to evade host immunity to establish a productive infection and have unique means of inhibiting DNA sensing-dependent type 1 interferon (IFN-I) responses, a necessity given their dsDNA genome and exclusively cytoplasmic life cycle. We found that the key DNA sensing inhibition by poxvirus infection was dominant during the early stage of poxvirus infection before DNA replication. In an effort to identify the poxvirus gene products which subdue the antiviral proinflammatory responses (e.g., IFN-I response), we investigated the function of one early gene that is the known host range determinant from the highly conserved poxvirus host range C7L superfamily, myxoma virus (MYXV) M062. Host range factors are unique features of poxviruses that determine the species and cell type tropism. Almost all sequenced mammalian poxviruses retain at least one homologue of the poxvirus host range C7L superfamily. In MYXV, a rabbit-specific poxvirus, the dominant and broad-spectrum host range determinant of the C7L superfamily is the M062R gene. The M062R gene product is essential for MYXV infection in almost all cells tested from different mammalian species and specifically inhibits the function of host Sterile αMotif Domain-containing 9 (SAMD9), as M062R-null (ΔM062R) MYXV causes abortive infection in a SAMD9-dependent manner. In this study we investigated the immunostimulatory property of the ΔM062R. We found that the replication-defective ΔM062R activated host DNA sensing pathway during infection in a cGAS-dependent fashion and that knocking down SAMD9 expression attenuated proinflammatory responses. Moreover, transcriptomic analyses showed a unique feature of the host gene expression landscape that is different from the dsDNA alone-stimulated inflammatory state. This study establishes a link between the anti-neoplastic function of SAMD9 and the regulation of innate immune responses. Poxviruses encode a group of genes called host range determinants to maintain or expand their host tropism. The mechanism by which many viral host range factors function remains elusive. Some host range factors possess immunoregulatory functions responsible for evading or subduing host immune defense mechanisms. Most known immunoregulatory proteins encoded by poxviruses are dispensable for viral replication in vitro. The uniqueness of MYXV M062R is that it is essential for viral infection in vitro and belongs to one of the most conserved poxvirus host range families, the C7L superfamily. There is one known host target of the MYXV M062 protein, SAMD9. SAMD9 is constitutively expressed in mammalian cells and exclusively present in the cytoplasm with an anti-neoplastic function. Humans with deleterious mutations in SAMD9 present disease that ranges from lethality at a young age to a predisposition to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) that often require bone marrow transplantation. More importantly, SAMD9 serves as an important antiviral intrinsic molecule to many viruses. The cellular function of SAMD9 remains unclear mostly due to the difficulty of studying this protein, i.e., its large size, long half-life, and its constitutive expression in most cells. In this study we used M062R-null MYXV as a tool to study SAMD9 function and report a functional link between SAMD9 and the regulation of the proinflammatory responses triggered by cGAS-dependent DNA sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J. Conrad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Tahseen Raza
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Erich A. Peterson
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Jason Liem
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Richard Connor
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Bernice Nounamo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Martin Cannon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
- Center of Pathogenesis and Host Inflammatory Responses, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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18
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African Swine Fever Virus EP364R and C129R Target Cyclic GMP-AMP To Inhibit the cGAS-STING Signaling Pathway. J Virol 2022; 96:e0102222. [PMID: 35861515 PMCID: PMC9364804 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01022-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly pathogenic swine DNA virus with high mortality that causes African swine fever (ASF) in domestic pigs and wild boars. For efficient viral infection, ASFV has developed complex strategies to evade key components of antiviral innate immune responses. However, the immune escape mechanism of ASFV remains unclear. Upon ASFV infection, cyclic GMP-AMP (2′,3′-cGAMP) synthase (cGAS), a cytosolic DNA sensor, recognizes ASFV DNA and synthesizes the second messenger 2′,3′-cGAMP, which triggers interferon (IFN) production to interfere with viral replication. In this study, we demonstrated a novel immune evasion mechanism of ASFV EP364R and C129R, which blocks cellular cyclic 2′,3′-cGAMP-mediated antiviral responses. ASFV EP364R and C129R with nuclease homology inhibit IFN-mediated responses by specifically interacting with 2′,3′-cGAMP and exerting their phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity to cleave 2′,3′-cGAMP. Particularly notable is that ASFV EP364R had a region of homology with the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) protein containing a 2′,3′-cGAMP-binding motif and point mutations in the Y76S and N78A amino acids of EP364R that impaired interaction with 2′,3′-cGAMP and restored subsequent antiviral responses. These results highlight a critical role for ASFV EP364R and C129R in the inhibition of IFN responses and could be used to develop ASFV live attenuated vaccines. IMPORTANCE African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious hemorrhagic disease in domestic pigs and wild boars caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV). ASF is a deadly epidemic disease in the global pig industry, but no drugs or vaccines are available. Understanding the pathogenesis of ASFV is essential to developing an effective live attenuated ASFV vaccine, and investigating the immune evasion mechanisms of ASFV is crucial to improve the understanding of its pathogenesis. In this study, for the first time, we identified the EP364R and C129R, uncharacterized proteins that inhibit type I interferon signaling. ASFV EP364R and C129R specifically interacted with 2′,3′-cGAMP, the mammalian second messenger, and exerted phosphodiesterase activity to cleave 2′,3′-cGAMP. In this study, we discovered a novel mechanism by which ASFV inhibits IFN-mediated antiviral responses, and our findings can guide the understanding of ASFV pathogenesis and the development of live attenuated ASFV vaccines.
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19
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Hood AJM, Sumner RP, Maluquer de Motes C. Disruption of the cGAS/STING axis does not impair sensing of MVA in BHK21 cells. J Gen Virol 2022; 103. [PMID: 35584007 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) is an attenuated strain of vaccinia virus (VACV), a dsDNA virus that replicates its genome in the cytoplasm and as a result is canonically sensed by the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and its downstream stimulator of interferon genes (STING). MVA has a highly restricted host range due to major deletions in its genome including inactivation of immunomodulatory genes, only being able to grow in avian cells and the hamster cell line BHK21. Here we studied the interplay between MVA and the cGAS/STING DNA in this permissive cell line and determined whether manipulation of this axis could impact MVA replication and cell responses. We demonstrate that BHK21 cells retain a functional cGAS/STING axis that responds to canonical DNA sensing agonists, upregulating interferon stimulated genes (ISGs). BHK21 cells also respond to MVA, but with a distinct ISG profile. This profile remains unaltered after CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out editing of STING and ablation of cytosolic DNA responses, indicating that MVA responses are independent of the cGAS/STING axis. Furthermore, infection by MVA diminishes the ability of BHK21 cells to respond to exogenous DNA suggesting that MVA still encodes uncharacterised inhibitors of DNA sensing. This suggests that using attenuated strains in permissive cell lines may assist in identification of novel host-virus interactions that may be of relevance to disease or the therapeutic applications of poxviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alasdair J M Hood
- Department of Microbial Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Rebecca P Sumner
- Department of Microbial Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
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20
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Schlafens Can Put Viruses to Sleep. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020442. [PMID: 35216035 PMCID: PMC8875196 DOI: 10.3390/v14020442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Schlafen gene family encodes for proteins involved in various biological tasks, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and T cell development. Schlafens were initially discovered in mice, and have been studied in the context of cancer biology, as well as their role in protecting cells during viral infection. This protein family provides antiviral barriers via direct and indirect effects on virus infection. Schlafens can inhibit the replication of viruses with both RNA and DNA genomes. In this review, we summarize the cellular functions and the emerging relationship between Schlafens and innate immunity. We also discuss the functions and distinctions of this emerging family of proteins as host restriction factors against viral infection. Further research into Schlafen protein function will provide insight into their mechanisms that contribute to intrinsic and innate host immunity.
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21
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Cai H, Meignin C, Imler JL. cGAS-like receptor-mediated immunity: the insect perspective. Curr Opin Immunol 2022; 74:183-189. [PMID: 35149240 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2022.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The cGAS-STING pathway plays a central role in the detection of DNA in the cytosol of mammalian cells and activation of immunity. Although the early evolutionary origin of this pathway in animals has been noted, its ancestral functions have remained elusive so far. We review here new findings in invertebrates establishing a role in sensing and signaling infection, triggering potent transcriptional responses, in addition to autophagy. Results from flies and moths/butterflies point to the importance of STING signaling in antiviral immunity in insects. The recent characterization of cGAS-like receptors in Drosophila reveals the plasticity of this family of pattern-recognition receptors, able to accommodate ligands different from DNA and to produce cyclic dinucleotides beyond 2'3'-cGAMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Cai
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Carine Meignin
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Luc Imler
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France.
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22
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Hu T, Pan M, Yin Y, Wang C, Cui Y, Wang Q. The Regulatory Network of Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase-Stimulator of Interferon Genes Pathway in Viral Evasion. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:790714. [PMID: 34966372 PMCID: PMC8711784 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.790714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus infection has been consistently threatening public health. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) pathway is a critical defender to sense various pathogens and trigger innate immunity of mammalian cells. cGAS recognizes the pathogenic DNA in the cytosol and then synthesizes 2'3'-cyclic GMP-AMP (2'3'cGAMP). As the second messenger, cGAMP activates STING and induces the following cascade to produce type I interferon (IFN-I) to protect against infections. However, viruses have evolved numerous strategies to hinder the cGAS-STING signal transduction, promoting their immune evasion. Here we outline the current status of the viral evasion mechanism underlying the regulation of the cGAS-STING pathway, focusing on how post-transcriptional modifications, viral proteins, and non-coding RNAs involve innate immunity during viral infection, attempting to inspire new targets discovery and uncover potential clinical antiviral treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongyu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingyu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Cui
- Division of Immunology, The Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Quanyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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23
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Novotná B, Holá L, Staś M, Gutten O, Smola M, Zavřel M, Vavřina Z, Buděšínský M, Liboska R, Chevrier F, Dobiaš J, Boura E, Rulíšek L, Birkuš G. Enzymatic Synthesis of 3'-5', 3'-5' Cyclic Dinucleotides, Their Binding Properties to the Stimulator of Interferon Genes Adaptor Protein, and Structure/Activity Correlations. Biochemistry 2021; 60:3714-3727. [PMID: 34788017 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The 3'-5', 3'-5' cyclic dinucleotides (3'3'CDNs) are bacterial second messengers that can also bind to the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) adaptor protein in vertebrates and activate the host innate immunity. Here, we profiled the substrate specificity of four bacterial dinucleotide synthases from Vibrio cholerae (DncV), Bacillus thuringiensis (btDisA), Escherichia coli (dgcZ), and Thermotoga maritima (tDGC) using a library of 33 nucleoside-5'-triphosphate analogues and then employed these enzymes to synthesize 24 3'3'CDNs. The STING affinity of CDNs was evaluated in cell-based and biochemical assays, and their ability to induce cytokines was determined by employing human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Interestingly, the prepared heterodimeric 3'3'CDNs bound to the STING much better than their homodimeric counterparts and showed similar or better potency than bacterial 3'3'CDNs. We also rationalized the experimental findings by in-depth STING-CDN structure-activity correlations by dissecting computed interaction free energies into a set of well-defined and intuitive terms. To this aim, we employed state-of-the-art methods of computational chemistry, such as quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations, and complemented the computed results with the {STING:3'3'c-di-ara-AMP} X-ray crystallographic structure. QM/MM identified three outliers (mostly homodimers) for which we have no clear explanation of their impaired binding with respect to their heterodimeric counterparts, whereas the R2 = 0.7 correlation between the computed ΔG'int_rel and experimental ΔTm's for the remaining ligands has been very encouraging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Novotná
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, Prague 12800, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Holá
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Staś
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Gutten
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Smola
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Zavřel
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Vavřina
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, Prague 12800, Czech Republic
| | - Miloš Buděšínský
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Liboska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Florian Chevrier
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Juraj Dobiaš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Evzen Boura
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Lubomír Rulíšek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Gabriel Birkuš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 16610, Czech Republic
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24
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Cyclic Nucleotide (cNMP) Analogues: Past, Present and Future. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312879. [PMID: 34884683 PMCID: PMC8657615 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic nucleotides are important second messengers involved in cellular events, and analogues of this type of molecules are promising drug candidates. Some cyclic nucleotide analogues have become standard tools for the investigation of biochemical and physiological signal transduction pathways, such as the Rp-diastereomers of adenosine and guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorothioate, which are competitive inhibitors of cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases. Next generation analogues exhibit a higher membrane permeability, increased resistance against degradation, and improved target specificity, or are caged or photoactivatable for fast and/or targeted cellular imaging. Novel specific nucleotide analogues activating or inhibiting cyclic nucleotide-dependent ion channels, EPAC/GEF proteins, and bacterial target molecules have been developed, opening new avenues for basic and applied research. This review provides an overview of the current state of the field, what can be expected in the future and some practical considerations for the use of cyclic nucleotide analogues in biological systems.
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25
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Shang M, Lu K, Guan W, Cao S, Ren M, Zhou C. 2',3'-Cyclic GMP-AMP Dinucleotides for STING-Mediated Immune Modulation: Principles, Immunotherapeutic Potential, and Synthesis. ChemMedChem 2021; 17:e202100671. [PMID: 34807508 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The cGAS-STING pathway discovered ten years ago is an important component of the innate immune system. Activation of cGAS-STING triggers downstream signalling, such as TBK1-IRF3, NF-κB and autophagy, which in turn leads to antipathogen responses, durable antitumour immunity or autoimmune diseases. 2',3'-Cyclic GMP-AMP dinucleotides (2',3'-cGAMP), the key second messengers produced by cGAS, play a pivotal role in cGAS-STING signalling by binding and activating STING. Thus, 2',3'-cGAMP has immunotherapeutic potential, which in turn has stimulated research on the design and synthesis of 2',3'-cGAMP analogues for clinical applications over the past ten years. This review presents the discovery, metabolism, and function of 2',3'-cGAMP in the cGAS-STING innate immune signalling axis. The enzymatic and chemical syntheses of 2',3'-cGAMP analogues as STING-targeting therapeutics are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdi Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemical Biology College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Kuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemical Biology College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Wenli Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemical Biology College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Shujie Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemical Biology College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Mengtian Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemical Biology College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Chuanzheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemical Biology College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
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26
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Senkevich TG, Yutin N, Wolf YI, Koonin EV, Moss B. Ancient Gene Capture and Recent Gene Loss Shape the Evolution of Orthopoxvirus-Host Interaction Genes. mBio 2021; 12:e0149521. [PMID: 34253028 PMCID: PMC8406176 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01495-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The survival of viruses depends on their ability to resist host defenses and, of all animal virus families, the poxviruses have the most antidefense genes. Orthopoxviruses (ORPV), a genus within the subfamily Chordopoxvirinae, infect diverse mammals and include one of the most devastating human pathogens, the now eradicated smallpox virus. ORPV encode ∼200 genes, of which roughly half are directly involved in virus genome replication and expression as well as virion morphogenesis. The remaining ∼100 "accessory" genes are responsible for virus-host interactions, particularly counter-defense of innate immunity. Complete sequences are currently available for several hundred ORPV genomes isolated from a variety of mammalian hosts, providing a rich resource for comparative genomics and reconstruction of ORPV evolution. To identify the provenance and evolutionary trends of the ORPV accessory genes, we constructed clusters including the orthologs of these genes from all chordopoxviruses. Most of the accessory genes were captured in three major waves early in chordopoxvirus evolution, prior to the divergence of ORPV and the sister genus Centapoxvirus from their common ancestor. The capture of these genes from the host was followed by extensive gene duplication, yielding several paralogous gene families. In addition, nine genes were gained during the evolution of ORPV themselves. In contrast, nearly every accessory gene was lost, some on multiple, independent occasions in numerous lineages of ORPV, so that no ORPV retains them all. A variety of functional interactions could be inferred from examination of pairs of ORPV accessory genes that were either often or rarely lost concurrently. IMPORTANCE Orthopoxviruses (ORPV) include smallpox (variola) virus, one of the most devastating human pathogens, and vaccinia virus, comprising the vaccine used for smallpox eradication. Among roughly 200 ORPV genes, about half are essential for genome replication and expression as well as virion morphogenesis, whereas the remaining half consists of accessory genes counteracting the host immune response. We reannotated the accessory genes of ORPV, predicting the functions of uncharacterized genes, and reconstructed the history of their gain and loss during the evolution of ORPV. Most of the accessory genes were acquired in three major waves antedating the origin of ORPV from chordopoxviruses. The evolution of ORPV themselves was dominated by gene loss, with numerous genes lost at the base of each major group of ORPV. Examination of pairs of ORPV accessory genes that were either often or rarely lost concurrently during ORPV evolution allows prediction of different types of functional interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana G. Senkevich
- Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Instutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Natalya Yutin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuri I. Wolf
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Eugene V. Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Bernard Moss
- Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Instutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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27
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Holleufer A, Winther KG, Gad HH, Ai X, Chen Y, Li L, Wei Z, Deng H, Liu J, Frederiksen NA, Simonsen B, Andersen LL, Kleigrewe K, Dalskov L, Pichlmair A, Cai H, Imler JL, Hartmann R. Two cGAS-like receptors induce antiviral immunity in Drosophila. Nature 2021; 597:114-118. [PMID: 34261128 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03800-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) produces the cyclic dinucleotide 2'3'-cGAMP in response to cytosolic DNA and this triggers an antiviral immune response. cGAS belongs to a large family of cGAS/DncV-like nucleotidyltransferases that is present in both prokaryotes1 and eukaryotes2-5. In bacteria, these enzymes synthesize a range of cyclic oligonucleotides and have recently emerged as important regulators of phage infections6-8. Here we identify two cGAS-like receptors (cGLRs) in the insect Drosophila melanogaster. We show that cGLR1 and cGLR2 activate Sting- and NF-κB-dependent antiviral immunity in response to infection with RNA or DNA viruses. cGLR1 is activated by double-stranded RNA to produce the cyclic dinucleotide 3'2'-cGAMP, whereas cGLR2 produces a combination of 2'3'-cGAMP and 3'2'-cGAMP in response to an as-yet-unidentified stimulus. Our data establish cGAS as the founding member of a family of receptors that sense different types of nucleic acids and trigger immunity through the production of cyclic dinucleotides beyond 2'3'-cGAMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Holleufer
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Hans Henrik Gad
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Xianlong Ai
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuqiang Chen
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lihua Li
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziming Wei
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huimin Deng
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiyong Liu
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Bine Simonsen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Karin Kleigrewe
- Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Louise Dalskov
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Andreas Pichlmair
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Hua Cai
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jean-Luc Imler
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Strasbourg, France. .,Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Rune Hartmann
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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28
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Abstract
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) functions in the cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway of innate immunity in mammals. It is activated upon binding the cyclic dinucleotide 2′3′-cGAMP, a second messenger produced by the enzyme cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS), which acts as the receptor for DNA in this pathway, and triggers the expression of interferons and other viral stress-induced genes. The ancient origin of STING in the evolution of animals had been noted, but its primitive function was speculative. We review here recent advances in the remarkable history of cGAS-STING signaling, which establish that cGAS is a member of the family of cGAS/DncV-like nucleotidyltransferases (CD-NTases). In bacteria, CD-NTases synthesize a wide range of cyclic oligonucleotide second messengers in response to bacteriophage infections, which in turn activate a variety of effector proteins to abort phage infection. Among these effectors, some are related to STING, revealing an ancestral function for the cGAS-STING cassette in antiviral host defense. Study of STING signaling in invertebrate animals is consistent with an early acquisition in the history of metazoans of CD-NTase- and STING-encoding genes to counter the universal threat of viruses. In particular, STING-dependent immunity appears to play a previously unsuspected important role in some insects. These discoveries open up interesting perspectives for the use of model organisms to decipher emerging aspects of cGAS-STING biology in mammals, such as the activation of interferon-independent responses or the function and regulation of cGAS in the nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Cai
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jean-Luc Imler
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
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29
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Maluquer de Motes
- Department of Microbial Sciences, School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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30
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Verrier ER, Langevin C. Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate-Adenosine Monophosphate Synthase (cGAS), a Multifaceted Platform of Intracellular DNA Sensing. Front Immunol 2021; 12:637399. [PMID: 33708225 PMCID: PMC7940176 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.637399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate immune pathways are the first line of cellular defense against pathogen infections ranging from bacteria to Metazoa. These pathways are activated following the recognition of pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by membrane and cytosolic pattern recognition receptors. In addition, some of these cellular sensors can also recognize endogenous danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) arising from damaged or dying cells and triggering innate immune responses. Among the cytosolic nucleic acid sensors, the cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) plays an essential role in the activation of the type I interferon (IFNs) response and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Indeed, upon nucleic acid binding, cGAS synthesizes cGAMP, a second messenger mediating the activation of the STING signaling pathway. The functional conservation of the cGAS-STING pathway during evolution highlights its importance in host cellular surveillance against pathogen infections. Apart from their functions in immunity, cGAS and STING also play major roles in nuclear functions and tumor development. Therefore, cGAS-STING is now considered as an attractive target to identify novel biomarkers and design therapeutics for auto-inflammatory and autoimmune disorders as well as infectious diseases and cancer. Here, we review the current knowledge about the structure of cGAS and the evolution from bacteria to Metazoa and present its main functions in defense against pathogens and cancer, in connection with STING. The advantages and limitations of in vivo models relevant for studying the cGAS-STING pathway will be discussed for the notion of species specificity and in the context of their integration into therapeutic screening assays targeting cGAG and/or STING.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloi R Verrier
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, Strasbourg, France
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31
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Kumar V. The Trinity of cGAS, TLR9, and ALRs Guardians of the Cellular Galaxy Against Host-Derived Self-DNA. Front Immunol 2021; 11:624597. [PMID: 33643304 PMCID: PMC7905024 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.624597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system has evolved to protect the host from the pathogens and allergens surrounding their environment. The immune system develops in such a way to recognize self and non-self and develops self-tolerance against self-proteins, nucleic acids, and other larger molecules. However, the broken immunological self-tolerance leads to the development of autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases. Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) are expressed by immunological cells on their cell membrane and in the cytosol. Different Toll-like receptors (TLRs), Nod-like receptors (NLRs) and absent in melanoma-2 (AIM-2)-like receptors (ALRs) forming inflammasomes in the cytosol, RIG (retinoic acid-inducible gene)-1-like receptors (RLRs), and C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) are some of the PRRs. The DNA-sensing receptor cyclic GMP–AMP synthase (cGAS) is another PRR present in the cytosol and the nucleus. The present review describes the role of ALRs (AIM2), TLR9, and cGAS in recognizing the host cell DNA as a potent damage/danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), which moves out to the cytosol from its housing organelles (nucleus and mitochondria). The introduction opens with the concept that the immune system has evolved to recognize pathogens, the idea of horror autotoxicus, and its failure due to the emergence of autoimmune diseases (ADs), and the discovery of PRRs revolutionizing immunology. The second section describes the cGAS-STING signaling pathway mediated cytosolic self-DNA recognition, its evolution, characteristics of self-DNAs activating it, and its role in different inflammatory conditions. The third section describes the role of TLR9 in recognizing self-DNA in the endolysosomes during infections depending on the self-DNA characteristics and various inflammatory diseases. The fourth section discusses about AIM2 (an ALR), which also binds cytosolic self-DNA (with 80–300 base pairs or bp) that inhibits cGAS-STING-dependent type 1 IFN generation but induces inflammation and pyroptosis during different inflammatory conditions. Hence, this trinity of PRRs has evolved to recognize self-DNA as a potential DAMP and comes into action to guard the cellular galaxy. However, their dysregulation proves dangerous to the host and leads to several inflammatory conditions, including sterile-inflammatory conditions autoinflammatory and ADs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar
- Children's Health Queensland Clinical Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mater Research, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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32
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Slavik KM, Morehouse BR, Ragucci AE, Zhou W, Ai X, Chen Y, Li L, Wei Z, Bähre H, König M, Seifert R, Lee ASY, Cai H, Imler JL, Kranzusch PJ. cGAS-like receptors sense RNA and control 3'2'-cGAMP signalling in Drosophila. Nature 2021; 597:109-113. [PMID: 34261127 PMCID: PMC8410604 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03743-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a cytosolic DNA sensor that produces the second messenger cG[2'-5']pA[3'-5']p (2'3'-cGAMP) and controls activation of innate immunity in mammalian cells1-5. Animal genomes typically encode multiple proteins with predicted homology to cGAS6-10, but the function of these uncharacterized enzymes is unknown. Here we show that cGAS-like receptors (cGLRs) are innate immune sensors that are capable of recognizing divergent molecular patterns and catalysing synthesis of distinct nucleotide second messenger signals. Crystal structures of human and insect cGLRs reveal a nucleotidyltransferase signalling core shared with cGAS and a diversified primary ligand-binding surface modified with notable insertions and deletions. We demonstrate that surface remodelling of cGLRs enables altered ligand specificity and used a forward biochemical screen to identify cGLR1 as a double-stranded RNA sensor in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. We show that RNA recognition activates Drosophila cGLR1 to synthesize the novel product cG[3'-5']pA[2'-5']p (3'2'-cGAMP). A crystal structure of Drosophila stimulator of interferon genes (dSTING) in complex with 3'2'-cGAMP explains selective isomer recognition, and 3'2'-cGAMP induces an enhanced antiviral state in vivo that protects from viral infection. Similar to radiation of Toll-like receptors in pathogen immunity, our results establish cGLRs as a diverse family of metazoan pattern recognition receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailey M. Slavik
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,grid.65499.370000 0001 2106 9910Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA
| | - Benjamin R. Morehouse
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,grid.65499.370000 0001 2106 9910Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA
| | - Adelyn E. Ragucci
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,grid.65499.370000 0001 2106 9910Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA
| | - Wen Zhou
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,grid.65499.370000 0001 2106 9910Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA ,grid.263817.9Present Address: School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Guangdong, China
| | - Xianlong Ai
- grid.410737.60000 0000 8653 1072Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuqiang Chen
- grid.410737.60000 0000 8653 1072Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lihua Li
- grid.410737.60000 0000 8653 1072Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziming Wei
- grid.410737.60000 0000 8653 1072Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Heike Bähre
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin König
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Roland Seifert
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ,grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Hannover Medical School, Institute of Pharmacology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Amy S. Y. Lee
- grid.65499.370000 0001 2106 9910Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Hua Cai
- grid.410737.60000 0000 8653 1072Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jean-Luc Imler
- grid.410737.60000 0000 8653 1072Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China ,grid.11843.3f0000 0001 2157 9291Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022 Strasbourg, France
| | - Philip J. Kranzusch
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,grid.65499.370000 0001 2106 9910Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA ,grid.65499.370000 0001 2106 9910Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA
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