STING is a vulnerability in RCC independent of its innate immunity function.

Abstract STING is an innate immune sensor for immune surveillance of viral/bacterial infection and maintenance of an immune-friendly microenvironment to prevent tumorigenesis. However, if and how STING exerts innate immunity-independent function remains elusive. Recently, we find STING expression is increased in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients and governs tumor growth through non-canonical innate immune signaling involving mitochondrial ROS maintenance and calcium homeostasis. We identify mitochondrial voltage dependent anion channel VDAC2 as a new STING binding partner. STING depletion potentiates VDAC2/GRP75-mediated MERC (mitochondria-ER contact) formation to increase mitochondrial ROS/calcium levels, impairs mitochondria function and suppresses mTORC1/S6K signaling leading to RCC growth retardation. STING interaction with VDAC2 occurs through STING-C88/C91 palmitoylation and inhibiting STING palmitoyl-transferases ZDHHCs by 2-BP significantly impedes RCC cell growth alone or in combination with sorafenib. Together, our studies reveal an innate immunity-independent function of STING in regulating mitochondrial function and growth in RCC, providing a rationale to target the STING/VDAC2 interaction in treating RCC. Citation Format: Pengda Liu, Zhichuan Zhu. STING is a vulnerability in RCC independent of its innate immunity function [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Kidney Cancer Research; 2023 Jun 24-27; Austin, Texas. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(16 Suppl):Abstract nr PR006.