Phosphorylation and chromatin tethering prevent cGAS activation during mitosis

Tuo Li, Tuozhi Huang, Mingjian Du, Xiang Chen, Fenghe Du, Junyao Ren, Zhijian J. Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

101 Scopus citations

Abstract

The cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP)-adenosine monophosphate (AMP) synthase (cGAS) detects microbial and self-DNA in the cytosol to activate immune and inflammatory programs. cGAS also associates with chromatin, especially after nuclear envelope breakdown when cells enter mitosis. How cGAS is regulated during cell cycle transition is not clear. Here, we found direct biochemical evidence that cGAS activity was selectively suppressed during mitosis in human cell lines and uncovered two parallel mechanisms underlying this suppression. First, cGAS was hyperphosphorylated at the N terminus by mitotic kinases, including Aurora kinase B. The N terminus of cGAS was critical for sensing nuclear chromatin but not mitochondrial DNA. Chromatin sensing was blocked by hyperphosphorylation. Second, oligomerization of chromatin-bound cGAS, which is required for its activation, was prevented. Together, these mechanisms ensure that cGAS is inactive when associated with chromatin during mitosis, which may help to prevent autoimmune reaction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbereabc5386
JournalScience
Volume371
Issue number6535
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 19 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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