Bao-cun Zhang

Jul 24, 2024 | nature.com | Manja Idorn |Manutea C. Serrero |Xiaoyong Pan |Emil A. Thomsen |Ryo Narita |Muwan Chen | +7 more

AbstractThe brain is highly sensitive to damage caused by infection and inflammation1,2. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is a neurotropic virus and the cause of herpes simplex encephalitis3. It is unknown whether neuron-specific antiviral factors control virus replication to prevent infection and excessive inflammatory responses, hence protecting the brain. Here we identify TMEFF1 as an HSV-1 restriction factor using genome-wide CRISPR screening.

Mar 28, 2024 | nature.com | Bao-cun Zhang |Ryo Narita |Aida S Hansen |Jinrong Huang |Emil K Nilsson |Christina Zeiler | +6 more

AbstractThe cGAS-STING pathway plays a crucial role in anti-tumoral responses by activating inflammation and reprogramming the tumour microenvironment. Upon activation, STING traffics from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to Golgi, allowing signalling complex assembly and induction of interferon and inflammatory cytokines. Here we report that cGAMP stimulation leads to a transient decline in ER cholesterol levels, mediated by Sterol O-Acyltransferase 1-dependent cholesterol esterification.

Mar 6, 2024 | nature.com | Qi Wu |Rasmus O. Bak |Søren R. Paludan |Christoph F. Kollmann |Trine I. Jensen |Bao-cun Zhang

AbstractDNA is a danger signal sensed by cGAS to engage signaling through STING to activate innate immune functions. The best-studied downstream responses to STING activation include expression of type I interferon and inflammatory genes, but STING also activates other pathways, including apoptosis. Here, we report that STING-dependent induction of apoptosis in macrophages occurs through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway and is mediated via IRF3 but acts independently of gene transcription.