STING regulation in polyomavirus infections

Abstract

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an indispensable component of cGAS-STING signalization pathway that plays a key role in the innate immune response to polyomavirus infection. Infection of cells by polyomaviruses resulted in cGAS-STING pathway activation but only moderate interferon beta production was detected indicating possible regulation of the pathway during the infection. STING is a transmembrane protein that predominantly resides in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). After binding to cGAMP di-nucleotide, STING oligomerizes. Oligomers translocate from ER to trans Golgi reticulum which leads to TBK1 and IRF3 phosphorylation and subsequent interferon-beta production. Later, STING is degraded in proteasomes or autophagosomes.