Dual roles and evolutionary implications of P26/poxin in antagonizing intracellular cGAS-STING and extracellular melanization immunity

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34761-0
• Publication Date: 2022-11-14T19:04:49Z
• Authors: Mengyi Yin; Wenhua Kuang; Qianran Wang; Xi Wang; Chuanfei Yuan; Zhe Lin; Huanyu Zhang; Fei Deng; Haobo Jiang; Peng Gong; Zhen Zou; Zhihong Hu; Manli Wang
• Keywords: Prophenoloxidase

Abstract P26, a homolog of the viral-encoded nuclease poxin that neutralizes cGAS-STING innate immunity, is widely distributed in various invertebrate viruses, lepidopteran insects, and parasitoid wasps. P26/poxin from certain insect viruses also retains protease activity, though its biological role remains unknown. Given many P26s contain signal peptide, it surmised P26 may possess extracellular functions. Here, we report secretory baculoviral suppresses melanization, prominent immunity against pathogen invasion. targets cofactor prophenoloxidase-activating protease, inhibitory function independent activity. The analysis homologs different origins suggests ability to inhibit melanization pathway limited with peptide not shared by without it. These findings highlight evolution single viral suppressor perform dual roles modulating during virus-host adaptation.