Spermine enhances antiviral and anticancer responses by stabilizing DNA binding with the DNA sensor cGAS

Self-nonself discrimination is central to effective immunity, but how intracellular DNA is discriminated remains elusive. Here, Wang et  al. show that spermine condenses naked DNA (including viral DNA) but not nucleosomal DNA to promote cGAS binding and downstream immune activation, thus providing a mechanism for self-nonself recognition.

Source: Immunity - January 31, 2023 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Lina Wang, Siru Li, Kai Wang, Na Wang, Qiaoling Liu, Zhen Sun, Li Wang, Lulu Wang, Quentin Liu, Chengli Song, Qingkai Yang Tags: Article Source Type: research