[Advances in post-translational modifications of cGAS in innate immunity]

As a member of the nucleotidyltransferase family, cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase, or cGAS) is primarily involved in innate immunity as a nucleic acids sensor that activates its downstream pathway and regulates type I interferon synthesis. The regulation of cGAS function is correlated with the bacterial and viral infections, autoimmune diseases, tumors, and other diseases. Besides, post-translational modification is one of the most in-depth and extensive ways of cGAS function adjustment. There are mainly six types of post-translational modifications (PTMs) of cGAS, including phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, peptide chain cleavage, and glutamylation. This article not only systematically summarizes how PTMs of cGAS regulate the functions of cGAS under different physiological and pathological conditions, but also probes deep into the potential of PTMs as therapeutic targets.