Scientists find the important role of STING proteins

Recently, a new study found that STING (stimulator of interferon genes) signaling pathway may play a key role in changing the immune system. They got the information through a series studies using various recombinant proteins such as recombinant rat proteins.

A cell biology professor Barber from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine published a study in the journal Nature in 2008. He found that STING is a new cellular molecule, having the function of recognizing viruses, bacterial infections and initiating the body's defense and immune reaction. In the new study published this time in Cell Reports, Professor Barber found STING's function of inhibiting colorectal cancer.

"Since 2008, we have already known that STING is a key molecule of anti-viral and anti-bacterial reaction," Barber said. "But until now, the role of STING in tumors is still poorly understood. In this new study, we first confirm that STING signaling pathway is inhibited in colorectal cancer and other cancers, leading cells to transform and evade the immune system."

There are 1.2 million people suffering from colorectal cancer in the United States and 150,000 cases of colorectal cancer are newly diagnosed each year, making colorectal cancer the third greatest cancer among men and women. Most colon cancers originate in benign polyps and can be successfully treated if detected early. However, if the tumor metastasizes, the survival rate of these patients is generally low. Recombinant human proteins can’t solve the problem.

Using model of colorectal cancer, the researchers found that signal loss of STING can affect the body's ability to identify cells with DNA damage. In particular, it will cause decline of reparation of certain cytokines tissue and lack of anti-tumor immunity, thus leading to the decline of immune response's elimination role of colorectal cancer.

"In addition, we also found that, degradation of STING signal helps damaged cells escape the immune system," Barber said. "If the body does not recognize and attack cancer cells, these cancer cells would rapidly proliferate and finally metastasize to other sites."

Barber and his colleagues reminded that STING signal can be taken as prognostic factor for colorectal cancer and other cancers. For example, Barber's research shows that cancer cells which lacks for STING signal have high sensitivity to oncotic viruses. Other studies also have shown that the regulation of STING signaling pathway plays an important role in cancer development and treatment. Flarebio offers superior recombinant proteins including recombinant CDH2 at competitive prices.