The innate immune system scans for signs—such as misplaced genetic material—that a pathogen or dangerous mutation could cause disease. When DNA is found in areas of the cell other than the nucleus, which can occur due to viruses or cancer, it is a danger signal. Now, researchers describe the process that triggers an alert system directly inside tumor cells. Their research shows that the tumor-suppressor enzyme DAPK3 is an essential component of a multi-protein system that senses misplaced genetic material in tumor cells, and slows tumor growth by activating the STING pathway.
