A defect in COPI-mediated transport of STING causes immune dysregulation in COPA syndrome

Zimu Deng, Zhenlu Chong, Christopher S. Law, Kojiro Mukai, Frances O. Ho, Tereza Martinu, Bradley J. Backes, Walter L. Eckalbar, Tomohiko Taguchi, Anthony K. Shum

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

129 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pathogenic COPA variants cause a Mendelian syndrome of immune dysregulation with elevated type I interferon signaling. COPA is a subunit of coat protein complex I (COPI) that mediates Golgi to ER transport. Missense mutations of the COPAWD40 domain impair binding and sorting of proteins targeted for ER retrieval, but how this causes disease remains unknown. Given the importance of COPA in Golgi-ER transport, we speculated that type I interferon signaling in COPA syndrome involves missorting of STING. We show that a defect in COPI transport causes ligand-independent activation of STING. Furthermore, SURF4 is an adapter molecule that facilitates COPA-mediated retrieval of STING at the Golgi. Activated STING stimulates type I interferon-driven inflammation in CopaE241K/+ mice that is rescued in STING-deficient animals. Our results demonstrate that COPA maintains immune homeostasis by regulating STING transport at the Golgi. In addition, activated STING contributes to immune dysregulation in COPA syndrome and may be a new molecular target in treating the disease.

Original languageEnglish
Article number20201045
JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine
Volume217
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2020

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A defect in COPI-mediated transport of STING causes immune dysregulation in COPA syndrome'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this