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Crayfish immunity: the importance of the prophenoloxidase activating system in non-self recognition and cellular defense
Söderhäll K and Smith V 
Published Online: 1/21/2020
Abstract
Recent research on freshwater crayfish has revealed an important role for the prophenoloxidase activating (proPO) system in host defence. The system, which is responsible for initiating melanization, resides in the haemocytes and is specially activated by non-self molecules. It seems to occur in nearly all arthropods and biochemically as well as functionally bears a striking resemblence to the complement pathway of mammals. The ways in which the proPO system participates in cuticular resistance, clotting, phagocytosis, encapsulation and humoral immunity in crayfish are described, and the possible role of the system in other physiological processes is evaluated.
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Söderhäll K and Smith V. (1986). Crayfish immunity: the importance of the prophenoloxidase activating system in non-self recognition and cellular defense. Freshwater Crayfish 6(1):30-41. doi: 10.5869/fc.1986.v6.030
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Published Online: 1/21/2020
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