Human Gene-Centered Transcription Factor Networks for Enhancers and Disease Variants

SummaryGene regulatory networks (GRNs) comprising interactions between transcription factors (TFs) and regulatory loci control development and physiology. Numerous disease-associated mutations have been identified, the vast majority residing in non-coding regions of the genome. As current GRN mapping methods test one TF at a time and require the use of cells harboring the mutation(s) of interest, they are not suitable to identify TFs that bind to wild-type and mutant loci. Here, we use gene-centered yeast one-hybrid (eY1H) assays to interrogate binding of 1,086 human TFs to 246 enhancers, as well as to 109 non-coding disease mutations. We detect both loss and gain of TF interactions with mutant loci that are concordant with target gene expression changes. This work establishes eY1H assays as a powerful addition to the toolkit of mapping human GRNs and for the high-throughput characterization of genomic variants that are rapidly being identified by genome-wide association studies

Recognition of cytosolic DNA by cGAS and other STING-dependent sensors

The presence of DNA in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells is perceived as a danger signal, alerting the host to the presence of microbial infection. In response to the detection of cytoplasmic DNA, the immune system mounts a programed response that involves the transcription of anti-viral genes such as type I interferons and production of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta. The recent discovery of the cGAS-cGAMP second messenger pathway as well as IFI16 and additional sensors collectively provide critical insights into the molecular basis behind the sensing of cytoplasmic DNA. The insights obtained from these important discoveries could unveil new avenues to understand host-immunity, improve vaccine adjuvancy, and allow development of new treatments for inflammatory diseases associated with abberrant sensing of DNA

Mouse, but not Human STING, Binds and Signals in Response to the Vascular Disrupting Agent 5,6-Dimethylxanthenone-4-Acetic Acid

Vascular disrupting agents such as 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) represent a novel approach for cancer treatment. DMXAA has potent antitumor activity in mice and, despite significant preclinical promise, failed human clinical trials. The antitumor activity of DMXAA has been linked to its ability to induce type I IFNs in macrophages, although the molecular mechanisms involved are poorly understood. In this study, we identify stimulator of IFN gene (STING) as a direct receptor for DMXAA leading to TANK-binding kinase 1 and IFN regulatory factor 3 signaling. Remarkably, the ability to sense DMXAA was restricted to murine STING. Human STING failed to bind to or signal in response to DMXAA. Human STING also failed to signal in response to cyclic dinucleotides, conserved bacterial second messengers known to bind and activate murine STING signaling. Collectively, these findings detail an unexpected species-specific role for STING as a receptor for an anticancer drug and uncover important insights that may explain the failure of DMXAA in clinical trials for human cancer