The Regulatory Network of Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase-Stimulator of Interferon Genes Pathway in Viral Evasion

• Published in: Frontiers in microbiology Vol. 12; p. 790714
• Main Authors: Hu, Tongyu, Pan, Mingyu, Yin, Yue, Wang, Chen, Cui, Ye, Wang, Quanyi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 13.12.2021
• Subjects: cGAS-STING; innate immune; Microbiology; post-translational modification; type I interferon; viral evasion; type I interferon; viral evasion; innate immune; post-translational modification; cGAS-STING
• ISSN: 1664-302X; 1664-302X
• DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.790714

Virus infection has been consistently threatening public health. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) pathway is a critical defender to sense various pathogens and trigger innate immunity of mammalian cells. cGAS recognizes the pathogenic DNA in the cytosol and then synthesizes 2'3'-cyclic GMP-AMP (2'3'cGAMP). As the second messenger, cGAMP activates STING and induces the following cascade to produce type I interferon (IFN-I) to protect against infections. However, viruses have evolved numerous strategies to hinder the cGAS-STING signal transduction, promoting their immune evasion. Here we outline the current status of the viral evasion mechanism underlying the regulation of the cGAS-STING pathway, focusing on how post-transcriptional modifications, viral proteins, and non-coding RNAs involve innate immunity during viral infection, attempting to inspire new targets discovery and uncover potential clinical antiviral treatments.