Given that CC-CL expression depends on MAP3K15 activation and its interaction with Dorsal during WSSV infection (Figs 4D–4E and 7A–7B), and that CC-CL contributes to STAT nuclear translocation in multiple species (Fig 4G and 4J), we propose that the MAP3K15/Dorsal–CC–CL–STAT axis is a key pathway regulating ie genes expression in decapoda. Here, SOAT1 is linked to infection.