Functional analyses of inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 (IAP1) of Antheraea pernyi multinucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AnpeNPV) in viral replication and occlusion body production

•AnpeNPV-IAP1 mainly localizes to the nuclear ring zone and exhibits dynamic distribution in the cytoplasm and the VS.•AnpeNPV-IAP1 is not essential for viral DNA replication or BV infection.•AnpeNPV-IAP1 is involved in regulating viral gene expression and required for normal OB formation and production.