Crosstalk between cGAS–STING signaling and cell death

Cytosolic nucleic acid sensors have a critical role in detecting endogenous nucleic acids to initiate innate immune responses during microbial infections and/or cell death. Several seminal studies over the past decade have delineated the conserved mechanism of cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and the downstream signaling adapter stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in mediating innate immune signaling pathways as a host defense mechanism. Besides the predominant role in microbial infections and inflammatory diseases, there is an increased attention on alternative functional responses of cGAS–STING-mediated signaling. Here we review the complexity of interactions between the cGAS–STING signaling and cell death pathways. A better understanding of molecular mechanisms of this interplay is important with regard to the development of new therapeutics targeting cGAS–STING signaling in cancer, infectious, and chronic inflammatory diseases.