RIG-I Protein
<table class="infobox infobox-protein">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">RIG-I Protein</th>
</tr>
<tr> [@carty2011]
<td class="label">Gene</td>
<td><a href="/genes/ddx58">DDX58</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt</td>
<td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9ULW5" target="_blank">Q9ULW5</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">PDB</td>
<td>2YGB, 4A2W, 5E3H</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Mol. Weight</td>
<td>99 kDa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Localization</td>
<td>Cytoplasm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Family</td>
<td>DEAD-box helicase family</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/diseases/alzheimers">Alzheimer's Disease</a>, <a href="/diseases/parkinsons-disease">Parkinson's Disease</a>, <a href="/diseases/viral-encephalitis">Viral Encephalitis</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
RIG-I Protein (DDX58)
Introduction
Rig I Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Overview
...RIG-I Protein
<table class="infobox infobox-protein">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">RIG-I Protein</th>
</tr>
<tr> [@carty2011]
<td class="label">Gene</td>
<td><a href="/genes/ddx58">DDX58</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt</td>
<td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9ULW5" target="_blank">Q9ULW5</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">PDB</td>
<td>2YGB, 4A2W, 5E3H</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Mol. Weight</td>
<td>99 kDa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Localization</td>
<td>Cytoplasm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Family</td>
<td>DEAD-box helicase family</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/diseases/alzheimers">Alzheimer's Disease</a>, <a href="/diseases/parkinsons-disease">Parkinson's Disease</a>, <a href="/diseases/viral-encephalitis">Viral Encephalitis</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
RIG-I Protein (DDX58)
Introduction
Rig I Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Overview
RIG-I (Retinoic Acid-Inducible Gene I), encoded by [DDX58](/genes/ddx58), is a cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor that detects viral RNA. It belongs to the DEAD-box helicase family and has a molecular weight of approximately 99 kDa^[@yoneyama2004]. This protein is localized to Cytoplasm and plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), [Viral Encephalitis](/diseases/viral-encephalitis).
Structure
The RIG-I protein has been characterized structurally through X-ray crystallography. Available PDB structures include: 2YGB, 4A2W, 5E3H^[@kowalinski2011].
The protein's three-dimensional structure can also be explored via the [AlphaFold Protein Structure Database](https://alphafold.ebi.ac.uk/entry/Q9ULW5).
Normal Function
Under physiological conditions, RIG-I performs essential functions in antiviral immunity. It is primarily found in Cytoplasm and contributes to detecting viral RNA and initiating antiviral immune responses.
Viral RNA Sensing
RIG-I is a cytoplasmic RNA helicase that detects viral infections:
- PAMP recognition — Binds 5' triphosphate double-stranded RNA (5'PPP dsRNA)
- Short dsRNA detection — Recognizes short viral dsRNA
- Signal transduction — Activates MAVS (mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein)
- Type I IFN induction — Triggers production of interferon-alpha/beta
Structure-Function
RIG-I contains multiple functional domains:
- C-terminal domain (CTD) — RNA binding and 5'PPP recognition
- Helicase domain — ATP-dependent RNA unwinding
- N-terminal CARD domains — Signal transduction via MAVS
Role in Disease
RIG-I is implicated in the following neurodegenerative conditions:
- [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease) — [Aβ](/proteins/amyloid-beta) oligomers can activate RIG-I pathway; contributes to chronic neuroinflammation; RIG-I deficiency reduces pathology in models
- [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease) — Activated by [α-synuclein](/proteins/alpha-synuclein) aggregates; mediates inflammatory response in [microglia](/entities/microglia); contributes to dopaminergic neuron loss
- [Viral Encephalitis](/diseases/viral-encephalitis) — Central to antiviral immunity in CNS; important for clearance of neurotropic viruses
Dysregulation of RIG-I contributes to neuronal damage through various mechanisms including chronic neuroinflammation, increased cytokine production, and glial activation.
Therapeutic Targeting
RIG-I represents an important therapeutic target. Multiple drug development programs are exploring strategies to modulate its function:
- RIG-I agonists: Antiviral immunotherapy
- RIG-I antagonists: Reduce excessive inflammation
- Modulation approaches: Targeting downstream signaling
Pathway & Interaction Diagram
Interactive diagram showing RIG-I's key relationships in the SciDEX knowledge graph (7 connections shown).
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)
External Links
- UniProt: [https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9ULW5](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9ULW5)
- AlphaFold: [RIG-I Protein](https://alphafold.ebi.ac.uk/entry/Q9ULW5)
- PDB: [2YGB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/2YGB), [4A2W](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/4A2W), [5E3H](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/5E3H)
See Also
- [Proteins Index](/proteins)
- [Genes Index](/genes)
- [Diseases Index](/diseases)
- [Mechanisms Index](/mechanisms)
- [MDA5 Protein](/proteins/mda5-protein)
- [Innate Immunity](/mechanisms/innate-immunity)
Brain Atlas Resources
- Allen Human Brain Atlas: [RIG-I expression search](https://human.brain-map.org/microarray/search/show?search_term=DDX58)
- Allen Mouse Brain Atlas: [RIG-I search](https://mouse.brain-map.org/search/index.html?query=DDX58)
- Allen Cell Type Atlas: [Transcriptomic cell type reference](https://portal.brain-map.org/atlases-and-data/rnaseq)
Background
The study of Rig I Protein has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
References
[Yoneyama M, et al, (2004) (2004)](https://doi.org/10.1038/ni1086)
[Kowalinski E, et al, (2011) (2011)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2011.09.039)
[Unknown, Loo YM, Gale M Jr. (2011). Immune signaling by RIG-I-like receptors (2011)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2011.05.003)
[Raman M, et al, (2013) (2013)](https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/196817)
[Carty M, Bowie AG, (2011) (2011)](https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0391331)