ZC3HAV1 facilitates STING activation and enhances inflammation

Abstract

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is vital in the cytosolic DNA-sensing process and critical for initiating the innate immune response, which has important functions in host defense and contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Zinc finger CCCH-type antiviral protein 1 (ZC3HAV1) specifically binds the CpG dinucleotides in the viral RNAs of multiple viruses and promotes their degradation. ZAPS (ZC3HAV1 short isoform) is a potent stimulator of retinoid acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) signaling during the antiviral response. However, how ZC3HAV1 controls STING signaling is unclear. Here, we show that ZC3HAV1 specifically potentiates STING activation by associating with STING to promote its oligomerization and translocation from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi, which facilitates activation of IRF3 and NF-κB pathway. Accordingly, Zc3hav1 deficiency protects mice against herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection- or 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA)-induced inflammation in a STING-dependent manner. These results indicate that ZC3HAV1 is a key regulator of STING signaling, which suggests its possible use as a therapeutic target for STING-dependent inflammation.