J Bacteriol Virol.  2013 Jun;43(2):77-84. 10.4167/jbv.2013.43.2.77.

Sensing DNA Viruses and Bacteria by Intracellular DNA Sensors

• Lee NR
• Shin HB
• Kim HI
• Choi MS
• Inn KS

• KMID: 2168676
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4167/jbv.2013.43.2.77

Abstract

The innate immune system confers first-line defense against various pathogens including bacteria and viruses. Early detection of invading pathogens by the host depends on a limited number of specific pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that detect pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and activate signal transduction cascades that lead to activation of defense mechanisms. Among those sensors, RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) play crucial roles in the detection of viruses by recognizing intracellular viral patterns such as viral RNAs to induce type-I interferon production. The discovery of intracellular RNA sensing mechanism by RIG-I prompted the investigations to find out intracellular DNA sensors. Recently, several proteins including DAI, AIM2, IFI16, and cGAS have been suggested as DNA sensing molecules to detect DNA viruses and bacteria, suggesting there are multiple receptors for microbial DNA. In this review, we discuss the current our understanding of sensing microbial DNA and subsequent induction of immune responses.

Keyword

DNA viruses; DNA sensors; Innate immunity; Interferon

MeSH Terms

Bacteria
Defense Mechanisms
DNA
DNA Viruses
Immune System
Immunity, Innate
Interferons
Proteins
Receptors, Pattern Recognition
RNA
RNA, Viral
Signal Transduction
DNA
Interferons
Proteins
RNA
RNA, Viral
Receptors, Pattern Recognition

Figure

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  Figure 1. Induction of type-I interferon by intracellular DNA sensors. It has been shown that intracellular DNA sensors including DNA-dependent activator of interferon-regulatory factors (DAI), RNA polymerase III (RNA Pol III), Leucine rich repeat interacting protein 1 (LRRFIP1), Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), (DExD/H)-box helicase 9/36 (DHX9/36) can induce type-I interferon production upon recognition of pathogen-derived DNA.

• 

  Figure 2. Activation of inflammasome signaling by intracellular DNA sensors. Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) and gamma-interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) activate inflammasome signaling pathway leading to caspase-1 activation upon recognition of pathogen-derived DNA.

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