NONO Detects the Nuclear HIV Capsid to Promote cGAS-Mediated Innate Immune Activation

Publication date: Available online 27 September 2018Source: CellAuthor(s): Xavier Lahaye, Matteo Gentili, Aymeric Silvin, Cécile Conrad, Léa Picard, Mabel Jouve, Elina Zueva, Mathieu Maurin, Francesca Nadalin, Gavin J. Knott, Baoyu Zhao, Fenglei Du, Marlène Rio, Jeanne Amiel, Archa H. Fox, Pingwei Li, Lucie Etienne, Charles S. Bond, Laurence Colleaux, Nicolas ManelSummaryDetection of viruses by innate immune sensors induces protective antiviral immunity. The viral DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is necessary for detection of HIV by human dendritic cells and macrophages. However, synthesis of HIV DNA during infection is not sufficient for immune activation. The capsid protein, which associates with viral DNA, has a pivotal role in enabling cGAS-mediated immune activation. We now find that NONO is an essential sensor of the HIV capsid in the nucleus. NONO protein directly binds capsid with higher affinity for weakly pathogenic HIV-2 than highly pathogenic HIV-1. Upon infection, NONO is essential for cGAS activation by HIV and cGAS association with HIV DNA in the nucleus. NONO recognizes a conserved region in HIV capsid with limited tolerance for escape mutations. Detection of nuclear viral capsid by NONO to promote DNA sensing by cGAS reveals an innate strategy to achieve distinction of viruses from self in the nucleus.Graphical Abstract

Source: Cell - October 4, 2018 Category: Cytology Source Type: research