CGAS and viral infectious disease: NE rupture under high levels of mechanical stress can expose DNA into the cytoplasm, activating the cyclic GMP–AMP synthase (cGAS)–STING (stimulator of interferon genes) pathway. Upon viral infection, cGAS acts as a cytosolic DNA sensor, binding to cytoplasmic double‐stranded DNA and generating 2′3′‐cyclic‐GMP–AMP, which then activates STING.