DEAD box proteins, characterized by the conserved motif Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp (DEAD), are putative RNA helicases which are implicated in a number of cellular processes involving RNA binding and alteration of RNA secondary structure. RIG-I contains RNA helicase-DEAD box protein motifs and a caspase recruitment domain (CARD). It is involved in viral double-stranded (ds) RNA recognition and the innate immune defense against viruses. Upon interaction with intracellular dsRNA produced during viral replication, RIG-I triggers a transduction cascade involving MAVS/IPS1, which results in the activation of NF-kappa-B, IRF3 and IRF7 and the induction of the expression of antiviral cytokines such as IFN-beta and RANTES (CCL5). This protein is essential for the production of interferons in response to RNA viruses including paramyxoviruses, influenza viruses, Japanese encephalitis virus and HCV.

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