Antiviral defense: RIG-Ing the immune system to STING

A critical component of the innate immune response is the presence of germ line-encoded receptors capable of recognizing a wide variety of pathogen-associated molecules. One group of these receptors, the cytoplasmic RIG-I-like helicases (RLH), is involved in the induction of Type I interferon in response to viral infection. Here we discuss results of recent investigations into the initiation and transmission of signals through the RIG-I pathway.