Fig. 1.

Sensing of viral RNA and induction of the host cell defense. The inducible aggregation of RLRs, MAVS and the inflammasome is displayed. While NF-κB activation proceeds via TRAF2/6, TRAF3 activates the kinases TBK1 and IKKε. These kinases phosphorylate IRF transcription factors, thus allowing for their dimerization and DNA-binding. Important domains in the proteins are shown in colors. The inflammasome can be also activated upon association with the mitochondrial MAVS protein, but this process is not displayed for the sake of clarity.