The proPO-system: pros and cons for its role in invertebrate immunity.
Melanisation is an important immune response in many invertebrates. Recent evidence also strongly implies that the melanisation (prophenoloxidase activating) cascade is intimately associated with the appearance of factors stimulating cellular defence by aiding phagocytosis and encapsulation reactions. However, some controversy exists in the field, and at least in flies and mosquitoes, the successful combat of some pathogens does not seem to be dependent on phenoloxidase activity. This may be because of redundancy among separate immune mechanisms, inappropriate testing, species differences or a combination thereof. Recently, by using RNA interference against phenoloxidase or in specific host-pathogen interactions where the pathogen prevents melanin production by the host, convincing data have confirmed the importance of this cascade in invertebrate innate immunity.
Cerenius
Lage
L
Department of Comparative Physiology, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden.
Lee
Bok Luel
BL
Söderhäll
Kenneth
K
D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003445:Crustacea; D020536:Enzyme Activators / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007313:Insecta; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology
D020536:Enzyme Activators; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D008543:Melanins; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases