Nuclear cGAS restricts L1 retrotransposition by promoting TRIM41-mediated ORF2p ubiquitination and degradation

Zhengyi Zhen, Yu Chen, Haiyan Wang, Huanyin Tang, Haiping Zhang, Haipeng Liu, Ying Jiang and Zhiyong Mao ()
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Zhengyi Zhen: Tongji University
Yu Chen: Tongji University
Haiyan Wang: Tongji University
Huanyin Tang: Tongji University
Haiping Zhang: Tongji University
Haipeng Liu: Tongji University
Ying Jiang: Tongji University
Zhiyong Mao: Tongji University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Cyclic GMP–AMP synthase (cGAS), initially identified as a cytosolic DNA sensor, detects DNA fragments to trigger an innate immune response. Recently, accumulating evidence reveals the presence of cGAS within the nucleus. However, the biological functions of nuclear cGAS are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that nuclear cGAS represses LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposition to preserve genome integrity in human cells. Mechanistically, the E3 ligase TRIM41 interacts with and ubiquitinates ORF2p to influence its stability, and cGAS enhances the association of ORF2p with TRIM41, thereby promoting TRIM41-mediated ORF2p degradation and the suppression of L1 retrotransposition. In response to DNA damage, cGAS is phosphorylated at serine residues 120 and 305 by CHK2, which promotes cGAS-TRIM41 association, facilitating TRIM41-mediated ORF2p degradation. Moreover, we show that nuclear cGAS mediates the repression of L1 retrotransposition in senescent cells induced by DNA damage agents. We also identify several cancer-associated cGAS mutations that abolish the suppressive effect on L1 retrotransposition by disrupting the CHK2-cGAS-TRIM41-ORF2p regulatory axis. Together, these findings indicate that nuclear cGAS exhibits an inhibitory function in L1 retrotransposition which could provide avenues for future interventions in both aging and tumorigenesis.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43001-y

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