Frontiers in Immunology (Mar 2024)

cGAS: action in the nucleus

  • Yikai Lu,
  • Mengmeng Zhao,
  • Li Chen,
  • Yan Wang,
  • Tianhao Liu,
  • Haipeng Liu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1380517
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

Read online

As a canonical cytoplasmic DNA sensor, cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) plays a key role in innate immunity. In recent years, a growing number of studies have shown that cGAS can also be located in the nucleus and plays new functions such as regulating DNA damage repair, nuclear membrane repair, chromosome fusion, DNA replication, angiogenesis and other non-canonical functions. Meanwhile, the mechanisms underlying the nucleo-cytoplasmic transport and the regulation of cGAS activation have been revealed in recent years. Based on the current understanding of the structure, subcellular localization and canonical functions of cGAS, this review focuses on summarizing the mechanisms underlying nucleo-cytoplasmic transport, activity regulation and non-canonical functions of cGAS in the nucleus. We aim to provide insights into exploring the new functions of cGAS in the nucleus and advance its clinical translation.

Keywords