Mechanisms of Interferon Induction (B17)

• Subject Area: Virology
• Term: from 2005 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5483103

The helicases RIG-I and MDA5 are key innate immune receptors for sensing viral RNA and induction of interferon. We were involved in the identification of 5’-triphospate RNA as the molecular ligand of RIG-I (Hornung et al., 2006). The identity of the MDA5 ligand present in picornaviruses is currently under investigation. The mechanism of viral IFN antagonists interfering with RIG-I/MDA5 signalling is being studied by co-purification of signalling complexes and MS analysis. Recombinant viruses deficient in P functions are being used to study the importance of IFN antagonism for virulence and pathogenesis.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 455: Viral Functions and Immunomodulation
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Heads: Dr. Krzysztof Brzo´zka; Professor Dr. Karl-Klaus Conzelmann