cGAS-STING cytosolic DNA sensing
cGAS-STING cytosolic DNA sensing — full pathway. Cytosolic DNA is read by cGAS (with DDX41; AIM2 diverting to the inflammasome); cGAS makes 2′3′-cGAMP, which can even be imported from neighbouring cells through SLC19A1. cGAMP activates STING, which traffics to the Golgi and fires TBK1/IKKε → IRF3 → type I IFN, the TRAF6 → IKK → NF-κB inflammatory arm, an NLRP3 inflammasome cross-talk, and BAX-driven apoptosis. Secreted IFN-β loops back through JAK/STAT to induce ISGs. Click any protein for the matching Assay Genie In Vivo antibody or ELISA kit.
Sensing. Cytosolic DNA (viral, mitochondrial, or from tumour micronuclei) is bound by cGAS and the helicase DDX41, which route to STING, while AIM2 diverts DNA sensing to the inflammasome. cGAS makes 2′3′-cGAMP; this dinucleotide is also secreted and taken up by neighbouring cells via the importer SLC19A1. Two brakes set the threshold: TREX1 degrades the DNA and ENPP1 hydrolyses cGAMP.
STING & four output arms. cGAMP binds STING at the ER (held there by STIM1 until activated); STING traffics to the Golgi and recruits TBK1/IKKε. (1) TBK1 phosphorylates IRF3 → IFN-β. (2) STING → TRAF6 → NEMO/IKKα/IKKβ → IκB → NF-κB → TNF, IL-6, the chemokine CXCL10. (3) STING primes the NLRP3–ASC– caspase-1 inflammasome → IL-1β and gasdermin-D pyroptosis. (4) Sustained STING drives BAX-dependent apoptosis. STING is then shut off by ULK1 and autophagic p62.
Amplification. Secreted IFN-β re-engages IFNAR1/2 → JAK1/TYK2 → STAT1:STAT2:IRF9 (ISGF3) to induce interferon-stimulated genes — ISG15, MX1, OAS1 — the antiviral / anti-tumour state and dendritic-cell priming. In Vivo functional-grade anti-IFN-β, anti-TNF and anti-IL-1β neutralise the outputs; every sensor, kinase, adaptor, transcription factor, effector and regulator links to an ELISA kit or antibody. For research use only; not for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Mouse targets shown where available.
Every protein node links to a product: In Vivo antibodies for the cytokine outputs; the sensors, STING, kinases, inflammasome, transcription factors, ISGs and regulators open the matching ELISA kit or antibody.