RIGI and infection: Numerous other examples of viral proteins that interact with the mitochondria during infection include the HBV X gene protein whose interactions are thought to stimulate apoptosis and play a role in the development of cancer in affected individuals [79], the HCMV UL37 protein which is thought to modulate Ca2+ signaling and apoptosis at the mitochondrial ER synapse [80], as well as three hepatitis virus proteases that have been shown to cleave MAVS (Hepatitis A, B and C), the adapter for RIG1 and MDA5 signaling, thereby antagonizing the innate immune response to infection [81].