The STING phase-separator suppresses innate immune signalling

Nat Cell Biol. 2021 Apr;23(4):330-340. doi: 10.1038/s41556-021-00659-0. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Abstract

Biomolecular condensates (biocondensates) formed via liquid-liquid phase-separation of soluble proteins have been studied extensively. However, neither the phase-separation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane protein nor a biocondensate with organized membranous structures has been reported. Here, we have discovered a spherical ER membranous biocondensate with puzzle-like structures caused by condensation of the ER-resident stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in DNA virus-infected or 2'3'-cGAMP (cyclic GMP-AMP)-treated cells, which required STING transmembrane domains, an intrinsically disordered region (IDR) and a dimerization domain. Intracellular 2'3'-cGAMP concentrations determined STING translocation or condensation. STING biocondensates constrained STING and TBK1 (TANK binding protein 1) to prevent innate immunity from overactivation, presumably acting like a 'STING-TBK1-cGAMP sponge'. Cells expressing STING-E336G/E337G showed notably enhanced innate immune responses due to impaired STING condensation after viral infection at later stages. Microtubule inhibitors impeded the STING condensate gel-like transition and augmented type I-interferon production in DNA virus-infected cells. This membranous biocondensate was therefore named the STING phase-separator.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / genetics*
  • Liquid-Liquid Extraction*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Nucleotides, Cyclic / genetics
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nucleotides, Cyclic
  • cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases