Human mutation
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Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a rare inherited autoimmune disease caused by mutations in genes encoding the RNase H2 subunits A, B, and C; the DNase three prime repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1); and sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain and HD domain-containing protein 1 (SAMHD1). Using unbiased affinity purification coupled to protein mass spectrometry, we identify SAMHD1 as a nucleic-acid-binding protein displaying a preference for RNA over DNA. ⋯ Furthermore, we show that although wild-type SAMHD1 displays almost exclusive nuclear localization, 11 of 12 SAMHD1 mutants show at least partial mislocalization to the cytosol. Overall, these data suggest that SAMHD1 has a role in the nucleus that, if disrupted by mutation, leads to cytosolic accumulation of SAMHD1 and autoimmune disease.