The cGAS-cGAMP-STING pathway of cytosolic DNA sensing and signaling.
The innate immune system deploys a variety of sensors to detect signs of infection. Nucleic acids represent a major class of pathogen signatures that can trigger robust immune responses. The presence of DNA in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells is a danger signal that activates innate immune responses; however, how cytosolic DNA triggers these responses remained unclear until recently. In this review, we focus on the mechanism of DNA sensing by the newly discovered cGAS-cGAMP-STING pathway and highlight recent progress in dissecting the in vivo functions of this pathway in immune defense as well as autoimmunity.
Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
Xin
X
Cai
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: ychiu@bidmc.harvard.edu.
Yu-Hsin
YH
Chiu
Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA. Electronic address: zhijian.chen@utsouthwestern.edu.
Zhijian J
ZJ
Chen
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009712:Nucleotides, Cyclic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009713:Nucleotidyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009712:Nucleotides, Cyclic; C584311:cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate; D004247:DNA; D009713:Nucleotidyltransferases