Control of polyunsaturated fatty acids desaturation by Sting regulates inflammatory responses
AbstractInflammatory disorders are major health issues in which immune function and metabolic homeostasis are concertedly altered. Yet, how innate and metabolic pathways are coordinated, in homeostatic conditions, is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the Stimulator of interferon genes (Sting) inhibits the Fatty acid desaturase 2 (Fads2) rate limiting enzyme in polyunsaturated Fatty acid desaturation, thereby controlling both Fatty acid (FA) metabolism and innate immunity. Indeed, we show that Sting activation increased Fads2 activity, while decreasing Fads2 levels enhanced Sting activation, establishing an anti-viral state. Remarkably, the cross-regulation between Sting and Fads2 is mediated by the cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) Sting agonist and PUFAs. Indeed, PUFAs inhibit Sting activation, while cGAMP binds Fads2 and promotes its degradation. Thus, our study identifies Sting as a master regulator of the interplay between FA metabolism and inflammation.One Sentence SummarySting inhibits polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism.