In addition to playing a role in virus assembly, SARS-CoV-2 M protein has been reported to cause a declined production of Type I Interferon and a downregulated expression of the Interferon Stimulated Genes (ISGs), thereby facilitating evasion of the virus by the host innate immunity and subsequently, rendering a decreased anti-viral response of the host immune system towards the infection. The gene discussed is STING1; the disease is infection.