Streptavidin Promotes DNA Binding and Activation of cGAS to Enhance Innate Immunity

cGAS/STING signaling plays an essential role in sensing cytosolic DNA. cGAS activity is regulated by posttranslational modifications and binding partners. cGAS interactome largely includes mammalian or viral proteins. Whether and how bacterial proteins bind cGAS to modulate innate immunity remain elusive. Here, we found streptavidin, a secreted bacterial protein, selectively bound cGAS to promote DNA-induced cGAS activation and interferon-β production. Mechanistically, streptavidin enhanced DNA binding and cGAS phase separation, therefore facilitating cGAS activation. Using an HSV-1-infected mouse model, we found streptavidin nanoparticles facilitated HSV-1 clearance through improving innate immunity. Considering the clinical usage of streptavidin as an immune stimulant and drug delivery vehicle and its biotechnological usage for biotin-labeled protein purification and detection, our studies not only provide an example for a bacterial protein regulating cGAS activity but also suggest caution needs to be taken when using streptavidin in various applications given to its ability to induce innate immunity. [Display omitted] •The bacterial protein streptavidin binds cGAS to promote cGAS activation•Streptavidin enhances cGAS binding to DNA and promotes cGAS phase separation•Streptavidin nanoparticles enhance HSV-1 induced innate immunity•These findings complicate clinical and biotechnological applications of streptavidin Immunology; Microbiology; Bacteriology