Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) (STING)

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a critical adaptor protein in the innate immune system, primarily localized to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. It functions as a central sensor for cyclic dinucleotides, most notably cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which is produced by the enzyme cGAS upon the detection of double-stranded DNA in the cytosol. Once activated, STING undergoes a conformational change and translocates to the Golgi apparatus, where it recruits TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) to phosphorylate interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), leading to the robust production of Type I interferons and other pro-inflammatory cytokines. In oncology, STING is a major therapeutic target for agonists designed to enhance anti-tumor immunity by activating the cGAS-STING pathway within the tumor microenvironment. Conversely, dysregulation or gain-of-function mutations in STING are associated with severe autoinflammatory conditions, leading to research into STING mRNA-targeting antisense oligonucleotides and small-molecule inhibitors to suppress pathological immune activation.

Other names

Transmembrane protein 173TMEM173Endoplasmic reticulum interferon stimulatorERISMediator of IRF3 activationMITAMPYSNET23

STING agonists bind to the STING dimer to induce a closed conformation that triggers downstream signaling for immune activation, while STING inhibitors or mRNA-targeting agents (siRNA/ASO) aim to reduce STING expression or activity to treat autoinflammatory diseases.