Expulsion of nuclear DNA to the cytoplasm after viral entry: A mechanism for activation of the cGAS pathway

Abstract

Significance Cells mount antiviral responses when they detect infection by a virus, and viruses have evolved mechanisms to resist the host responses. In this study, we have discovered a new form of host response. Upon entry of viruses that occurs by fusion of the viral envelope with the plasma membrane, nuclear DNA is released from the nucleus into the cytoplasm, eliciting an interferon antiviral response. Understanding this mechanism could strengthen antiviral immunity or alternatively provide approaches to minimize the host response for beneficial viral infections such as those by viral gene therapy vectors.