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. 2023 Jun 27;42(14):e112907. doi: 10.15252/embj.2022112907

Figure 2. The activation mechanism of IRF3.

Figure 2

IRF3 docks to the phosphorylated form of the adaptor proteins illustrated here by STING. Once docked at the adaptor proteins, TBK1 phosphorylates IRF3 at key serine residues where residue 386 is particularly critical for IRF3 activation. Upon phosphorylation, IRF3 dimerizes and forms the transcriptionally active dimer, which then translocates to the nucleus where it drives transcription of IFNs and certain antiviral genes. The available data suggest that IRF7 is activated through a similar mechanism.