Crosstalk between RNA viruses and DNA sensors: Role of the cGAS-STING signalling pathway

Despite only comprising half of all known viral species, RNA viruses are disproportionately responsible for many of the worst epidemics in human history, including outbreaks of influenza, poliomyelitis, Ebola, and most recently, the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The propensity for RNA viruses to replicate in cytosolic compartments has led to an evolutionary arms race and the emergence of cytosolic sensors to recognise and initiate the host innate immune response. Although significant progress has been made in identifying and characterising cytosolic RNA sensors as anti-viral innate immune factors, the potential role for cytosolic DNA sensors in RNA viral infection is only recently being appreciated. Among these, the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway has attracted increasing attention. The cGAS-STING signalling pathway has emerged as a key innate immune signalling axis that is implicated in diverse human diseases from infectious diseases to neurodegeneration and cancer. Here we review the existing literature on RNA viruses and their reciprocal interactions with the cGAS-STING pathway and share insights into RNA virus diversity by touching on the similarities and differences of RNA viral strategies.

Automated summary

Despite being only half of all known viral species, RNA viruses have played a disproportionately significant role in some of the worst epidemics in human history. They have the ability to replicate in cytosolic compartments, leading to an evolutionary arms race and the emergence of cytosolic sensors for host innate immune response. The cGAS-STING pathway, in particular, has attracted attention as a key immune signaling axis involved in various human diseases.