RIG-Ⅰ, the abbreviation of retinoic acid inducible gene-Ⅰ, can be induced to express in many type cells by various stimuli. Recently, it was identified as an intracellular regulator for RNA virus-induced antiviral response in innate immunity. Its discovery, expression induction, structure, research status of its function, homologous proteins and functional mechanism etc. were summarized, and its further research pulses are also prospected meanwhile.