Activation and regulation of pathogen sensor RIG-I

Cells are equipped with a large set of pattern recognition receptors or sensors that detect foreign molecules such as pathogenic nucleic acids and initiate proinflammatory and antimicrobial innate immune responses. RIG-I is a cytosolic sensor that detects 5′-triphosphate double-stranded RNAs produced during infection. RIG-I is responsible for mounting an antimicrobial response against a variety of viruses and intracellular bacteria. RIG-I contains an intricate structural architecture that allows for efficient signaling downstream in the pathway and autoregulation. The RIG-I-mediated antimicrobial pathway is highly regulated in cells requiring various cofactors, negative regulators, and posttranslational modifications. Modulation of RIG-I and RIG-I-mediated signaling in cells by pathogens to evade recognition and activation of the antimicrobial pathway highlights the essential nature of RIG-I in the innate immune response.