DZIP3 is a viral RNA co-sensor for RIG-I that promotes type-I interferon responses.

DZIP3 acts as a viral RNA co-sensor that enhances RIG-I-mediated type-I interferon responses, restricting a broad range of RNA viruses.

• Why it matters: Understanding how innate immune sensors detect viral RNA is crucial for developing antiviral strategies. The mechanisms linking RNA recognition to immune signaling remain incompletely understood.
• What they did: The study used molecular and cellular approaches to show that viral RNA binding induces conformational changes in DZIP3, leading to its auto-ubiquitination, oligomerization, and interaction with RIG-I and MAVS at mitochondria.
• The result: DZIP3 promotes K63-linked ubiquitination of RIG-I, boosting interferon responses; its depletion impairs antiviral defense, highlighting DZIP3's role in innate immunity against RNA viruses.