Epistatic relationships between Serpin 27A and PPOs.

<p>Pictures of larvae (left panel), pupae (center panel) and adults (right panel) were taken in the absence of wounding. <i>Spn27A¹</i> mutants exhibit spontaneous melanization (black arrows) which is suppressed in a <i>PPO1</i>^Δ<i>PPO2</i>^Δ double mutant background. This uncontrolled melanization is not completely abolished in <i>PPO1</i>^Δ, <i>Spn27A¹</i> mutant flies (note the melanized spot indicated by the arrow). A distinctive pattern of melanized spots under the epidermis was observed in <i>Spn27A¹, PPO1</i>^Δ larvae and pupae. The <i>Spn27A¹</i> melanization was stronger in the absence of <i>PPO2</i> with pupae turning black and adults presenting black spots and wing defects (not shown).