STING signaling and host defense against microbial infection

Abstract

Immunity: Fighting infection with a STING In response to microbial infections a protein sensor named stimulator of interferon genes (STING) initiates the production of small defensive proteins called interferons. This is an early and ‘innate’ immune response, that is, one not targeted at specific invaders. Jeonghyun Ahn and Glen Barber at the University of Miami, USA, review the relevance of STING signaling in defense against infection, including consideration of microbial activities that can help the microbes evade this immune response. STING signaling is initiated by the presence of fragments of microbial genetic material called cyclic dinucleotides. These can be derived via cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) from the DNA of invading viruses, bacteria or larger parasites such as single-cell protozoans. Discoveries revealing the significance and mechanism of our STING signaling system could lead to new strategies for combating infections, using either drugs or vaccines.