Michaela Gack explains RIG-I and MDA5 cytosolic RNA sensing and viral immune evasion at ImmunoTalks

Michaela Gack gave a 55-minute talk in the Global ImmunoTalks series on how the cytosolic RNA virus sensors RIG-I and MDA5 recognize distinct RNA patterns, converge on MAVS, and trigger type I interferon responses. She described the 5S rRNA pseudogene RNA5SP141 acting as a RIG-I agonist during herpesvirus infection, and ISG15-mediated isgylation of the MDA5 CARD domain, which SARS-CoV-2 PLpro removes to evade antiviral immunity. She argued that isgylation is an innate immunity node worth targeting.