University of Wollongong
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The innate immune sensor IFI16 recognizes foreign DNA in the nucleus by scanning along the duplex

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posted on 2024-11-16, 07:31 authored by Sarah A Stratmann, Seamus R Morrone, Antonius van OijenAntonius van Oijen, Jungsan Sohn
The ability to recognize foreign double-stranded (ds)DNA of pathogenic origin in the intracellular environment is an essential defense mechanism of the human innate immune system. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying distinction between foreign DNA and host genomic material inside the nucleus are not understood. By combining biochemical assays and single-molecule techniques, we show that the nuclear innate immune sensor IFI16 one-dimensionally tracks long stretches of exposed foreign dsDNA to assemble into supramolecular signaling platforms. We also demonstrate that nucleosomes represent barriers that prevent IFI16 from targeting host DNA by directly interfering with these one-dimensional movements. This unique scanning-assisted assembly mechanism allows IFI16 to distinguish friend from foe and assemble into oligomers efficiently and selectively on foreign DNA.

Funding

Under the hood: single-molecule studies of multi-protein machines

Australian Research Council

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History

Citation

Stratmann, S. A., Morrone, S. R., van Oijen, A. M. & Sohn, J. (2015). The innate immune sensor IFI16 recognizes foreign DNA in the nucleus by scanning along the duplex. eLife, 4 e11721-1 - e11721-13.

Journal title

eLife

Volume

4

Issue

1/12/2015

Language

English

RIS ID

107068

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