Skip to main content

STING1

Domain

In absence of cGAMP, the transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions interact to form an integrated, domain-swapped dimeric assembly (By similarity). In absence of cyclic nucleotide (c-di-GMP or cGAMP), the protein is autoinhibited by an intramolecular interaction between the cyclic dinucleotide-binding domain (CBD) and the C-terminal tail (CTT) (PubMed:22579474, PubMed:22705373, PubMed:22728658, PubMed:22728660, PubMed:22728659). Following cGAMP-binding, the cyclic dinucleotide-binding domain (CBD) is closed, leading to a 180 degrees rotation of the CBD domain relative to the transmembrane domain. This rotation is coupled to a conformational change in a loop on the side of the CBD dimer, which leads to the formation of the STING1 tetramer and higher-order oligomers through side-by-side packing (By similarity). The N-terminal part of the CBD region was initially though to contain a fifth transmembrane region (TM5) but is part of the folded, soluble CBD (PubMed:22579474, PubMed:22705373, PubMed:22728658, PubMed:22728660, PubMed:22728659).

The pLxIS motif constitutes an IRF3-binding motif: following phosphorylation by TBK1, the phosphorylated pLxIS motif of STING1 recruits IRF3 (PubMed:25636800). IRF3 is then phosphorylated and activated by TBK1 to induce type-I interferons and other cytokines (PubMed:25636800).

The N-terminal domain interacts with glycerophospholipids and phospholipids.

Function

Facilitator of innate immune signaling that acts as a sensor of cytosolic DNA from bacteria and viruses and promotes the production of type I interferon (IFN-alpha and IFN-beta) (PubMed:18724357, PubMed:18818105, PubMed:19433799, PubMed:19776740, PubMed:23027953, PubMed:23910378, PubMed:23747010, PubMed:30842659). Innate immune response is triggered in response to non-CpG double-stranded DNA from viruses and bacteria delivered to the cytoplasm (PubMed:26300263). Acts by binding cyclic dinucleotides: recognizes and binds cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP), a second messenger produced by bacteria, and cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), a messenger produced by CGAS in response to DNA virus in the cytosol (PubMed:21947006, PubMed:23258412, PubMed:23707065, PubMed:23722158, PubMed:26229117, PubMed:23910378, PubMed:23747010, PubMed:30842659). Upon binding of c-di-GMP or cGAMP, STING1 oligomerizes, translocates from the endoplasmic reticulum and is phosphorylated by TBK1 on the pLxIS motif, leading to recruitment and subsequent activation of the transcription factor IRF3 to induce expression of type I interferon and exert a potent anti-viral state (PubMed:22394562, PubMed:25636800, PubMed:30842653). In addition to promote the production of type I interferons, plays a direct role in autophagy (PubMed:30568238, PubMed:30842662). Following cGAMP-binding, STING1 buds from the endoplasmic reticulum into COPII vesicles, which then form the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) (PubMed:30842662). The ERGIC serves as the membrane source for WIPI2 recruitment and LC3 lipidation, leading to formation of autophagosomes that target cytosolic DNA or DNA viruses for degradation by the lysosome (PubMed:30842662). The autophagy- and interferon-inducing activities can be uncoupled and autophagy induction is independent of TBK1 phosphorylation (PubMed:30568238, PubMed:30842662). Autophagy is also triggered upon infection by bacteria: following c-di-GMP-binding, which is produced by live Gram-positive bacteria, promotes reticulophagy (By similarity). Exhibits 2',3' phosphodiester linkage-specific ligand recognition: can bind both 2'-3' linked cGAMP (2'-3'-cGAMP) and 3'-3' linked cGAMP but is preferentially activated by 2'-3' linked cGAMP (PubMed:26300263, PubMed:23910378, PubMed:23747010). The preference for 2'-3'-cGAMP, compared to other linkage isomers is probably due to the ligand itself, whichs adopts an organized free-ligand conformation that resembles the STING1-bound conformation and pays low energy costs in changing into the active conformation (PubMed:26150511). May be involved in translocon function, the translocon possibly being able to influence the induction of type I interferons (PubMed:18724357). May be involved in transduction of apoptotic signals via its association with the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) (By similarity).

(Microbial infection) Antiviral activity is antagonized by oncoproteins, such as papillomavirus (HPV) protein E7 and adenovirus early E1A protein (PubMed:26405230). Such oncoproteins prevent the ability to sense cytosolic DNA (PubMed:26405230).

Involvement in disease

STING-associated vasculopathy, infantile-onset

SAVI

An autoinflammatory disease characterized by early-onset systemic inflammation and cutaneous vasculopathy, resulting in severe skin lesions. Violaceous, scaling lesions of fingers, toes, nose, cheeks and ears progress to acral necrosis in most of the patients. Some patients have severe interstitial lung disease.

None

The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry.

Post-translational modifications

Phosphorylation by TBK1 leads to activation and production of IFN-beta (PubMed:18818105, PubMed:19433799, PubMed:25636800, PubMed:30842659, PubMed:30842653, PubMed:27302953). Following cyclic nucleotide (c-di-GMP or cGAMP)-binding, activation and translocation from the endoplasmic reticulum, STING1 is phosphorylated by TBK1 at Ser-366 in the pLxIS motif (PubMed:25636800, PubMed:32690950). The phosphorylated pLxIS motif constitutes an IRF3-binding motif, leading to recruitment of the transcription factor IRF3 to induce type-I interferons and other cytokines (PubMed:25636800). Phosphorylated on tyrosine residues upon MHC-II aggregation (By similarity).

Ubiquitinated (PubMed:19285439, PubMed:19433799, PubMed:21074459, PubMed:25254379). Ubiquitinated via 'Lys-63'-linked ubiquitin chains in response to double-stranded DNA treatment, leading to relocalization to autophagosomes and subsequent degradation; this process is dependent on SQSTM1 (By similarity). 'Lys-63'-linked ubiquitination mediated by TRIM56 at Lys-150 promotes homodimerization and recruitment of the antiviral kinase TBK1 and subsequent production of IFN-beta (PubMed:21074459). 'Lys-48'-linked polyubiquitination at Lys-150 occurring after viral infection is mediated by RNF5 and leads to proteasomal degradation (PubMed:19285439). 'Lys-11'-linked polyubiquitination at Lys-150 by RNF26 leads to stabilize STING1: it protects STING1 from RNF5-mediated 'Lys-48'-linked polyubiquitination (PubMed:25254379).

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the STING family.

Tissue specificity

Ubiquitously expressed. Expressed in skin endothelial cells, alveolar type 2 pneumocytes, bronchial epithelium and alveolar macrophages.

Cellular localization

  • Endoplasmic reticulum membrane
  • Multi-pass membrane protein
  • Cytoplasm
  • Perinuclear region
  • Endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment membrane
  • Multi-pass membrane protein
  • Cytoplasmic vesicle
  • Autophagosome membrane
  • Multi-pass membrane protein
  • Mitochondrion outer membrane
  • Multi-pass membrane protein
  • Cell membrane
  • Multi-pass membrane protein
  • In response to double-stranded DNA stimulation, translocates from the endoplasmic reticulum through the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment and Golgi to post-Golgi vesicles, where the kinase TBK1 is recruited (PubMed:19433799, PubMed:30842659, PubMed:30842653, PubMed:29694889). Upon cGAMP-binding, translocates to the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) in a process that is dependent on COPII vesicles; STING1-containing ERGIC serves as a membrane source for LC3 lipidation, which is a key step in autophagosome biogenesis (PubMed:30842662).

Alternative names

  • Stimulator of interferon genes protein
  • hSTING
  • Endoplasmic reticulum interferon stimulator
  • Mediator of IRF3 activation
  • Transmembrane protein 173
  • ERIS
  • hMITA
  • STING
  • MITA
  • ERIS
  • STING1
  • TMEM173

Target type

Proteins

Primary research area

Immuno-oncology

Other research areas

  • Immunology & Infectious Disease

Molecular weight

42193Da