FIGURE 1.
Major cytoplasmic nucleic sensing pathways in mammals. The RIG-I pathway (activated by 5′-triphosphorylated, blunt-ended dsRNA), MDA5 pathway (activated by long dsRNAs), and cGAS-STING pathway (activated by dsDNA) converge to induce interferon signaling. Meanwhile, PKR dimerization on dsRNA primarily leads to translational arrest and cell death. ADAR1 blocks the recognition of endogenous dsRNAs by MDA5 and PKR to prevent constitutive interferon activation and apoptosis.
