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The role of cGAS in innate immunity and beyond

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Abstract

The sensing of foreign DNA is crucial for host defense against several pathogens. In the cytosol the enzyme cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is critical for the recognition of pathogen-derived DNA and provides key signals that initiate immune responses. Beyond infection, accumulating evidence indicates that cGAS is also active during autoimmune diseases and controls immune responses that underlie cancer immunosurveillance. In this review, we highlight our current understanding of DNA sensing by cGAS and its involvement in human disease.

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  1. Global Health Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Andrea Ablasser & Muhammed F. Gulen

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  1. Andrea Ablasser
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  2. Muhammed F. Gulen
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Correspondence to Andrea Ablasser.

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A.A. receives funds from the Swiss National Science Foundation (BSSGI0-155984 and 31003A_159836) and the Gebert Rüf Stiftung (GRS-059_14).

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Ablasser, A., Gulen, M.F. The role of cGAS in innate immunity and beyond. J Mol Med 94, 1085–1093 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-016-1423-2

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