An evolutionarily conserved serine protease network mediates melanization and Toll activation in Drosophila

Sci Adv. 2023 Dec 22;9(51):eadk2756. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adk2756. Epub 2023 Dec 20.

Abstract

Melanization and Toll pathway activation are essential innate immune mechanisms in insects, which result in the generation of reactive compounds and antimicrobial peptides, respectively, to kill pathogens. These two processes are mediated by phenoloxidase (PO) and Spätzle (Spz) through an extracellular network of serine proteases. While some proteases have been identified in Drosophila melanogaster in genetic studies, the exact order of proteolytic activation events remains controversial. Here, we reconstituted the serine protease framework in Drosophila by biochemical methods. This system comprises 10 proteases, i.e., ModSP, cSP48, Grass, Psh, Hayan-PA, Hayan-PB, Sp7, MP1, SPE and Ser7, which form cascade pathways that recognize microbial molecular patterns and virulence factors, and generate PO1, PO2, and Spz from their precursors. Furthermore, the serpin Necrotic negatively regulates the immune response progression by inhibiting ModSP and Grass. The biochemical approach, when combined with genetic analysis, is crucial for addressing problems that long stand in this important research field.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drosophila Proteins* / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins* / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Drosophila* / metabolism
  • Serine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Serine Proteases / genetics
  • Serine Proteases / metabolism

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • Serine Proteases
  • Sp7 protein, Drosophila
  • Tl protein, Drosophila