RIG-I is an ATP-dependent DExD/H boxRNA helicase that is activated by immunostimulatory RNAs from viruses as well as RNAs of other origins. RIG-I recognizes short double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in the cytosol with a 5' tri- or di-phosphate end or a 5' 7-methyl guanosine (m7G) cap (cap-0), but not RNA with a 5' m7G cap having a ribose 2′-O-methyl modification (cap-1).[7][8] These are often generated during a viral infection but can also be host-derived.[5][9][10][11][12] Once activated by the dsRNA, the N-terminus caspase activation and recruitment domains (CARDs) migrate and bind with CARDs attached to mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) to activate the signaling pathway for IFN1.[5][9]
Type-I IFNs have three main functions: to limit the virus from spreading to nearby cells, promote an innate immune response, including inflammatory responses, and help activate the adaptive immune system.[13] Other studies have shown that in different microenvironments, such as in cancerous cells, RIG-I has more functions other than viral recognition.[10] RIG-I orthologs are found in mammals, geese, ducks, some fish, and some reptiles.[9] RIG-I is in most cells, including various innate immune system cells, and is usually in an inactive state.[5][9]Knockout mice that have been designed to have a deleted or non-functioning RIG-I gene are not healthy and typically die embryonically. If they survive, the mice have serious developmental dysfunction.[9] The stimulator of interferon genes STING antagonizes RIG-I by binding its N-terminus, probably as to avoid overactivation of RIG-I signaling and the associated autoimmunity.[14]