Control of IRF-3 activation by phosphorylation

Interferon (IFN) regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3) is a unique member of the IRF family. Its transcriptional activity is regulated solely by posttranslational modifications. We review current knowledge of the mechanism of IRF-3 activation: signalling triggered by infections including viruses and bacteria, phosphorylation of IRF-3 on certain serine residues, homodimer formation, and active holocomplex formation with coactivator CBP/p300.