Title : Emerging DNA-sensing mechanism and its therapeutic significance against the infectious and cancer like diseases

Abstract:

Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and self-DNA in the form of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are released from immune cells (Monocytes, Macrophages, and other immune cells) under a stressed condition, that are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) already cited in the cytosol, membranes, and other organelles. Various DNA viruses are being detected by the sensors as foreign nucleic acids RNA / or DNA during viral infections like vaccinia virus, HSV-1, and HSV-2, cytomegalovirus, adenoviruses, human papillomavirus, etc.

These sensors are denoted as PRRs. Recently discovered a novel enzyme cGAS (cyclic GMP-AMP) catalyses the signals to recognize DNAs while working with adaptor protein the Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) helps dissociate PAMPs and DAMPs to trigger the inflammatory / or anti-inflammatory regulations. The final activity of STING is guided by the catalytic form of cGAS, as cGAMP synthase regulates the function of IFN-I.

This specific molecular pathway triggers the innate immune response in the cytoplasm and consecutively develops the adaptive immune arm against pathogens. PRR agonists activate the adaptor protein STING to regulate the functionality of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in establishing the sustainable innate and adaptive immune response. cGAS-STING also exerts antitumor effects via activation of p53 and p16 pathways. STING harbors the various properties that could be used in the development of novel therapeutics.

Biography:

Dr Anju Kaushal received her MSc. Microbiology from Central Research Institute, Kasuali, India in 1993 and awarded with PhD Microbiology in 2003 from Panjab University, Chandigarh, India in 2003. She worked in various scientific & medical institutes and companies in India and New Zealand. Her expertise is in Science and Technology, R&Ds, Productions and QA/QC in the field of biologicals, diagnostics and academia. She worked on Rabies, Aspergillus, Candida, HIV, enzymes and fermentation technologies. Her area of interest includes vaccines, sera & diagnostics and novel therapeutics. She also attained, more than six years of experience in small Business Management, Brand & Marketing, Communication & Information. She has assisted many scientists in their careers. She has published 12 articles in Scientific Journals and more than 40 articles on LinkedIn.