DNA-induced liquid phase condensation of cGAS activates innate immune signaling

Liquid droplets step on the cGAS Spontaneous partitioning of a homogeneous solution of molecules, or liquid-phase separation, underlies the formation of cellular bodies from P granules to nucleoli. Essentially, dense-phase liquid droplets act like cellular compartments. Du and Chen show that DNA binding to its cytoplasmic sensor, cyclic GMP–AMP synthase (cGAS), results in liquid droplets containing activated cGAS (see the Perspective by Ablasser). This phenomenon occurs through multivalent interactions, augmented by zinc, between DNA binding domains on cGAS and DNA in a length-dependent manner. Binding triggers a switchlike reaction that concentrates the enzyme and reactants to enhance STING-dependent interferon responses. Science , this issue p. 704 ; see also p. 646