cGAS-STING cytosolic DNA sensing

A scoped project: ten candidate genes, three already reviewed

AI Gene Review · projects/CGAS_STING_PATHWAY · 2026

Bottom line

  • cGAS senses cytosolic DNA and makes 2'3'-cGAMP; STING1 then recruits TBK1 to activate IRF3 and type I interferon.
  • Scoped, not yet started: no project-specific review work has been done.
  • 3 of 10 candidates already have complete reviews from other projects (STING1, TBK1, IFI16; 529 annotations). CGAS and six others have no gene folder.

The pathway and what is covered

Why this pathway

  • Links innate immunity to type 1 interferonopathies (AGS, SAVI), lupus, cancer immunotherapy (STING agonists) and senescence.
  • Many regulators were described after 2020 (STING trafficking and degradation, intercellular cGAMP transfer), so GO annotation may lag the literature.
  • A bounded set of about ten genes with a clear sensor → messenger → adaptor → kinase → transcription factor order.

An existing review: STING1

STING1 (251 annotations, COMPLETE): 165 ACCEPT, 31 MODIFY, 26 REMOVE (25 of them generic protein binding).

Status and next steps

Gene State
STING1, TBK1, IFI16 Reviewed (COMPLETE), from other projects
CGAS, IRF3, TREX1, ENPP1, SAMHD1, IRF7, IFNB1 No gene folder
  • ⬜ just fetch-gene human <GENE> for the seven missing genes, starting with CGAS.
  • ⬜ Review, then consider a cytosolic DNA sensing module.

Read more: projects/CGAS_STING_PATHWAY.md