Asymmetric arginine dimethylation of cytosolic RNA and DNA sensors by PRMT3 attenuates antiviral innate immunity

The cytosolic RNA and DNA sensors initiate type I interferon signaling when binding to RNA or DNA. To effectively protect the host against virus infection and concomitantly avoid excessive interferonopathy at resting states, these sensors must be tightly regulated. However, the key molecular mechanisms regulating these sensors’ activation remain elusive. Here, we identify PRMT3, a type I protein arginine methyltransferase, as a negative regulator of cytosolic RNA and DNA sensors. PRMT3 interacts with RIG-I, MDA5, and cGAS and catalyzes asymmetric dimethylation of R730 on RIG-I, R822 on MDA5, and R111 on cGAS. These modifications reduce RNA-binding ability of RIG-I and MDA5 as well as DNA-binding ability and oligomerization of cGAS, leading to the inhibition of downstream type I interferon production. Furthermore, mice with loss of one copy of Prmt3 or in vivo treatment of the PRMT3 inhibitor, SGC707, are more resistant to RNA and DNA virus infection. Our findings reveal an essential role of PRMT3 in the regulation of antiviral innate immunity and give insights into the molecular regulation of cytosolic RNA and DNA sensors’ activation.