UNC93B1 attenuates the cGAS–STING signaling pathway by targeting STING for autophagy–lysosome degradation

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a pivotal innate immune adaptor, and its functions during DNA virus infections have been extensively documented. However, its homeostatic regulation is not well understood. Our study demonstrates that Unc-93 homolog B1 (UNC93B1) is a crucial checker for STING to prevent hyperactivation. Ectopic expression of UNC93B1 attenuates IFN-β promoter activity and the transcriptions of IFN-β, ISG54, and ISG56 genes. Moreover, UNC93B1 also blocks the IRF3 nuclear translocation induced by ectopic expression of both cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and STING and reduces the stability of STING by facilitating its autophagy-lysosome degradation, which can be reversed by lysosome inhibitors. Mechanistically, UNC93B1 interacts with STING and suppresses STING-activated downstream signaling by delivering STING to the lysosomes for degradation, depending on its trafficking capability. UNC93B1 knockout in human embryonic kidney 293T cells facilitates IFN-β promoter activity, IFN-β, ISG54, and ISG56 transcriptions, and IRF3 nuclear translocation induced by ectopic expression of cGAS and STING. Infected with herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), UNC93B1 knockdown BJ cells or primary peritoneal macrophages from Unc93b1-deficient (Unc93b1-/- ) mice show enhanced IFN-β, ISG54, and ISG56 transcriptions, TBK1 phosphorylation, and reduced STING degradation and viral replication. In addition, Unc93b1-/- mice exhibit higher IFN-β, ISG54, and ISG56 transcriptions and lower mortality upon HSV-1 infection in vivo. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that UNC93B1 attenuates the cGAS-STING signaling pathway by targeting STING for autophagy-lysosome degradation and provide novel insights into the function of UNC93B1 in antiviral innate immunity.