STING is activated by cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) secreted by intracellular bacteria or non-canonical CDNs generated by cGAS. The sensing and interaction of CDNs influences a conformational change in STING and triggers the trafficking of STING complexed with TBK1 from the ER to endosomal/lysosomal perinuclear regions.
What is STING immunotherapy?
In cancer immunotherapy, the STING pathway is a well-known critical activator of cancer-killing T cells that kicks off the body's powerful adaptive immune response. The new study shows that through DAPK3 and STING, the tumor's own innate immune system plays a greater role in cancer immunity than previously appreciated.