5' to 3' RNA helicase that is involved in a number of cellular roles ranging from mRNA metabolism and translation, modulation of viral infectivity, inhibition of retrotransposition, or regulation of synaptic transmission.Plays an important role in innate antiviral immunity by promoting type I interferon production.Mechanistically, specifically uses IKKepsilon/IKBKE as the mediator kinase for IRF3 activation.