IFNA1 and infection: During viral infections, DDX3X enhances the production of IFN by interacting with TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase ε (IKKε) to augment IRF signaling or sensing viral sense viral RNA and to supplement the function of RIG-I and MDA-5 in the early phase of infection.42