Extended Data Fig. 7 |. Cartoon model of STING-mediated activation of TBK1 and the downstream signalling pathway.

The cGAMP-induced oligomerization of STING leads to TBK1 clustering and trans-autophosphorylation. Activated TBK1 phosphorylates STING C-terminal tails that are not bound to the SDD–kinase domain groove in TBK1. Phosphorylated tails of STING recruit IRF3, which is phosphorylated by TBK1. Phosphorylated IRF3 forms a dimer and translocates to the nucleus to initiate the transcription of IFN genes.