cGAS-cGAMP Signaling and Antiviral Defense

Cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) is a cytosolic DNA sensor that plays an important role in innate immunity. Transfection of DNA or DNA virus infection results in the induction of type I interferon production in fibroblasts, macrophages, and dendritic cells which is dependent on cGAS. Recently, cGas−/- mice have been reported to be more vulnerable to fatal infection with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) as compared to wild-type mice.