The immune system is a complex network of cells and proteins that protect the body from harmful pathogens. The enzyme cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) plays a central role in this system by detecting foreign DNA and initiating an immune response. However, precise regulation is required to prevent cGAS from attacking the body’s own tissues and causing autoimmune disorders. A study has revealed how cGAS is regulated during cell division, preventing it from mistakenly responding to the cell’s DNA. Understanding this process could lead to new strategies for treating autoimmune diseases, chronic infections, and cancer by modulating cGAS activity.
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The ‘switch’ that keeps the immune system from attacking the body
