Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) inhibits coronavirus infection by disrupting viral replication organelles

Abstract

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein that plays a crucial role in cytosolic DNA-mediated innate immunity. Both STING agonists and antagonists have demonstrated their ability to enhance mouse survival against coronavirus, however, the physiological role of endogenous STING in coronavirus infection remains unclear. Our research unveils that STING inhibits coronavirus replication by impeding the formation of the ER-derived double-membrane vesicles (DMVs), the organelles in which coronavirus replicates. We found that STING was still capable of inhibiting coronavirus OC43 infection in cells, regardless of the knockout of cGAS or MAVS, or blocking type I interferon receptor. Moreover, STING disrupted the interaction between two crucial proteins, NSP4 and NSP6, involved in DMV formation, leading to the disruption of DMV formation. Taken together, our study sheds light on a novel antiviral role of STING in coronavirus infection, elucidating how it disrupts the formation of viral replication organelles, thereby impeding the replication process.