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ABSTRACT The recognition of microbial nucleic acids is a major mechanism by which the immune system detects pathogens. Cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) is a cytosolic DNA sensor that

activates innate immune responses through production of the second messenger cGAMP, which activates the adaptor STING. The cGAS–STING pathway not only mediates protective immune defense

against infection by a large variety of DNA-containing pathogens but also detects tumor-derived DNA and generates intrinsic antitumor immunity. However, aberrant activation of the cGAS

pathway by self DNA can also lead to autoimmune and inflammatory disease. Thus, the cGAS pathway must be properly regulated. Here we review the recent advances in understanding of the

cGAS–STING pathway, focusing on the regulatory mechanisms and roles of this pathway in heath and disease. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription

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ACCESS OPTIONS: * Log in * Learn about institutional subscriptions * Read our FAQs * Contact customer support SIMILAR CONTENT BEING VIEWED BY OTHERS CROSSTALK BETWEEN CGAS–STING SIGNALING

AND CELL DEATH Article 18 September 2020 CYTOSOLIC DNA SENSING BY CGAS: REGULATION, FUNCTION, AND HUMAN DISEASES Article Open access 30 April 2021 CGAMP-ACTIVATED CGAS–STING SIGNALING: ITS

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  PubMed Central  Google Scholar  Download references AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * The Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center

of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China Qi Chen * Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas,

USA Lijun Sun & Zhijian J Chen * Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA Lijun Sun & Zhijian J Chen Authors * Qi Chen

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INTERESTS The authors declare no competing financial interests. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Chen, Q., Sun, L. & Chen, Z.

Regulation and function of the cGAS–STING pathway of cytosolic DNA sensing. _Nat Immunol_ 17, 1142–1149 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni.3558 Download citation * Received: 18 July 2016 *

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