cGAMP-activated cGAS–STING signaling: Its bacterial origins and evolutionary adaptation by metazoans Review


Authors: Patel, D. J.; Yu, Y.; Xie, W.
Review Title: cGAMP-activated cGAS–STING signaling: Its bacterial origins and evolutionary adaptation by metazoans
Abstract: The metazoan cGAMP-activated cGAS–STING innate immunity pathway is triggered in response to genomic instability and DNA damage, thereby providing host defense against microbial pathogens. This pathway also impacts on autophagy, cellular senescence and antitumor immunity, while its overactivation triggers autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Metazoan cGAS generates cGAMP containing distinct combinations of 3′-5′ and 2′-5′ linkages, which target the adaptor protein STING and activate the innate immune response through a signaling cascade leading to upregulation of cytokine and interferon production. This Review highlights a structure-based mechanistic perspective of recent advances in cGAMP-activated cGAS–STING innate immune signaling by focusing on the cGAS sensor, cGAMP second messenger and STING adaptor components, thereby elucidating the specificity, activation, regulation and signal transduction features of the pathway. In addition, the Review addresses progress towards identification of inhibitors and activators targeting cGAS and STING, as well as strategies developed by pathogens to evade cGAS–STING immunity. Most importantly, it highlights cyclic nucleotide second messengers as ancient signaling molecules that elicit a potent innate immune response that originated in bacteria and evolved through evolutionary adaptation to metazoans. © 2023, Springer Nature America, Inc.
Keywords: signal transduction; animal; metabolism; animals; physiology; innate immunity; immunity, innate; nucleotidyltransferase; nucleotidyltransferases; nucleotides, cyclic; cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate; cyclic nucleotide
Journal Title: Nature Structural and Molecular Biology
Volume: 30
Issue: 3
ISSN: 1545-9993
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group  
Date Published: 2023-03-01
Start Page: 245
End Page: 260
Language: English
DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-00933-9
PUBMED: 36894694
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Review -- MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) acknowledged in PubMed and PDF -- MSK corresponding author is Dinshaw Patel -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Dinshaw J Patel
    477 Patel
  2. You Yu
    8 Yu