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RNA helicases and dsRNA-binding proteins in innate immunity:
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Viruses use dsRNA intermediates to replicate in host cells. Host cells recognize dsRNA as non-self using dsRNA-binding proteins as Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) to elicit an immune response. In addition to the conventional PRRs, several RNA helicases serve as RNA chaperones, signal transducers and as scaffolds of larger regulatory complexes. While host cells utilize such proteins to assemble antiviral signaling complexes, viruses co-opt to ensure efficient viral replication. Dissecting the novel roles of RNA helicases in innate immune response will provide new nodes of regulation that can be targeted for the control of viruses.
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