There are three human RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) which are cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of the innate immune system. They detect non-self cytosolic double-stranded RNA species and and 5'-triphosphate single-stranded RNA from various sources and are essential for inducing production of type I interferons, such as IFNβ, type III interferons, and other anti-pathogenic effectors [1-2]. They function as RNA helicases (EC 3.6.4.13) using the energy from ATP hydrolysis to unwind RNA.

* Key recommended reading is highlighted with an asterisk

* Chow KT, Gale Jr M, Loo YM. (2018) RIG-I and Other RNA Sensors in Antiviral Immunity. Annu Rev Immunol, 36: 667-694. [PMID:29677479]

* Kato H, Fujita T. (2015) RIG-I-like receptors and autoimmune diseases. Curr Opin Immunol, 37: 40-5. [PMID:26530735]

* Lässig C, Hopfner KP. (2017) Discrimination of cytosolic self and non-self RNA by RIG-I-like receptors. J Biol Chem, 292 (22): 9000-9009. [PMID:28411239]

* Ma Z, Ni G, Damania B. (2018) Innate Sensing of DNA Virus Genomes. Annu Rev Virol, 5 (1): 341-362. [PMID:30265633]

* Yong HY, Luo D. (2018) RIG-I-Like Receptors as Novel Targets for Pan-Antivirals and Vaccine Adjuvants Against Emerging and Re-Emerging Viral Infections. Front Immunol, 9: 1379. [PMID:29973930]

1. Bruns AM, Horvath CM. (2014) Antiviral RNA recognition and assembly by RLR family innate immune sensors. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev, 25 (5): 507-12. [PMID:25081315]

2. Bryant CE, Orr S, Ferguson B, Symmons MF, Boyle JP, Monie TP. (2015) International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. XCVI. Pattern recognition receptors in health and disease. Pharmacol Rev, 67 (2): 462-504. [PMID:25829385]