Crosstalk between cGAS-STING signaling and cell death

Cell Death Differ. 2020 Nov;27(11):2989-3003. doi: 10.1038/s41418-020-00624-8. Epub 2020 Sep 18.

Abstract

Cytosolic nucleic acid sensors have a critical role in detecting endogenous nucleic acids to initiate innate immune responses during microbial infections and/or cell death. Several seminal studies over the past decade have delineated the conserved mechanism of cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and the downstream signaling adapter stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in mediating innate immune signaling pathways as a host defense mechanism. Besides the predominant role in microbial infections and inflammatory diseases, there is an increased attention on alternative functional responses of cGAS-STING-mediated signaling. Here we review the complexity of interactions between the cGAS-STING signaling and cell death pathways. A better understanding of molecular mechanisms of this interplay is important with regard to the development of new therapeutics targeting cGAS-STING signaling in cancer, infectious, and chronic inflammatory diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Death*
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Infections / etiology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / etiology
  • Nucleotidyltransferases / genetics
  • Nucleotidyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • STING1 protein, human
  • Nucleotidyltransferases