Structural and functional views of the intracellular viral RNA sensor RIG-I

Abstract

The innate immunity plays a crucial role in initial response to viral infection. Retinoic acid inducible gene-I (RIG-I) detects diverse viral RNAs in host cell and triggers immune response, producing antiviral cytokine, namely type I interferon (IFN). Recently, we analyzed the substrate RNAs and identified RNA binding domain of RIG-I. Here we discuss structural mechanism of intracellular RNA sensing system by RIG-I and function of RIG-I family molecules in the antiviral innate immunity.