An Immune-Responsive Serpin Regulates the Melanization Cascade in Drosophila

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• 作者：Ennio De Gregorio ; Sung-Jun Han ; Won-Jae Lee ; Min-Ji Baek ; Tsukasa Osaki ; Shun-Ichiro Kawabata ; Bok-Leul Lee ; Sadaaki Iwanaga ; Bruno Lemaitre ; Paul T. Brey
• 关键词：CELLBIO ; CELLCYCLE
• 刊名：Developmental Cell
• 出版年：2002
• 出版时间：October 2002
• 年：2002
• 卷：3
• 期：4
• 页码：581-592
• 全文大小：1525 K

文摘

In arthropods, the melanization reaction is associated with multiple host defense mechanisms leading to the sequestration and killing of invading microorganisms. Arthropod melanization is controlled by a cascade of serine proteases that ultimately activates the enzyme prophenoloxidase (PPO), which, in turn, catalyzes the synthesis of melanin. Here we report the biochemical and genetic characterization of a Drosophila serine protease inhibitor protein, Serpin-27A, which regulates the melanization cascade through the specific inhibition of the terminal protease prophenoloxidase-activating enzyme. Our data demonstrate that Serpin-27A is required to restrict the phenoloxidase activity to the site of injury or infection, preventing the insect from excessive melanization.