The emerging role of nuclear viral DNA sensors.
Detecting pathogenic DNA by intracellular receptors termed "sensors" is critical toward galvanizing host immune responses and eliminating microbial infections. Emerging evidence has challenged the dogma that sensing of viral DNA occurs exclusively in sub-cellular compartments normally devoid of cellular DNA. The interferon-inducible protein IFI16 was shown to bind nuclear viral DNA and initiate immune signaling, culminating in antiviral cytokine secretion. Here, we review the newly characterized nucleus-originating immune signaling pathways, their links to other crucial host defenses, and unique mechanisms by which viruses suppress their functions. We frame these findings in the context of human pathologies associated with nuclear replicating DNA viruses.
From the Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544.
Benjamin A
BA
Diner
From the Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544.
Krystal K
KK
Lum
From the Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 icristea@princeton.edu.
Ileana M
IM
Cristea
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D004267:DNA Viruses / Q000502:physiology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000276:immunology*
D004279:DNA, Viral; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; C076700:IFI16 protein, human
IFI16; IFIX; STING; cGAS; cytokine induction; infectious disease; protein-DNA interaction; signaling; viral DNA sensing; viral immunology