Cyclic GMP-AMP is an Endogenous Second Messenger in Innate Immune Signaling by Cytosolic DNA

Overview

Journal Science

Specialty Science

Date 2012 Dec 22

PMID 23258412

Citations 1211

Authors

Jiaxi Wu

Lijun Sun

Xiang Chen

Fenghe Du

Heping Shi

Chuo Chen

Zhijian J Chen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Cytosolic DNA induces type I interferons and other cytokines that are important for antimicrobial defense but can also result in autoimmunity. This DNA signaling pathway requires the adaptor protein STING and the transcription factor IRF3, but the mechanism of DNA sensing is unclear. We found that mammalian cytosolic extracts synthesized cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic GMP-AMP, or cGAMP) in vitro from adenosine triphosphate and guanosine triphosphate in the presence of DNA but not RNA. DNA transfection or DNA virus infection of mammalian cells also triggered cGAMP production. cGAMP bound to STING, leading to the activation of IRF3 and induction of interferon-β. Thus, cGAMP functions as an endogenous second messenger in metazoans and triggers interferon production in response to cytosolic DNA.

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