Identification of putative neuropeptidergic signaling systems in the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus

Members of the decapod infraorder Achelata, specifically species from the genus Panulirus, have storied histories as models for investigating the basic principles governing the generation, maintenance, and modulation of rhythmic motor behavior, including modulation by locally released and circulating peptides. Despite their contributions to our understanding of peptidergic neuromodulation, little is known about the identity of the native neuropeptides and neuronal peptide receptors present in these crustaceans. Here, a Panulirus argus nervous system-specific transcriptome was used to help fill this void, providing insight into the neuropeptidome and neuronal peptide receptome of this species. A neuropeptidome consisting of 266 distinct peptides was predicted using the P. argus assembly, 128 having structures placing them into a generally recognized arthropod peptide family: agatoxin-like peptide, allatostatin A (AST-A), allatostatin B, allatostatin C, bursicon, CCHamide, crustacean cardioactive peptide, crustacean hyperglycemic hormone/molt-inhibiting hormone, diuretic hormone 31 (DH31), ecdysis-triggering hormone (ETH), FMRFamide-like peptide (FLP), glycoprotein hormone (GPH), GSEFLamide, inotocin, leucokinin, myosuppressin, natalisin, neuroparsin, neuropeptide F, orcokinin, orcomyotropin, periviscerokinin, pigment-dispersing hormone, pyrokinin, red pigment-concentrating hormone, RYamide, short neuropeptide F (sNPF), SIFamide, sulfakinin, tachykinin-related peptide (TRP), and trissin. Twenty-five putative neuronal receptors, encompassing 15 peptide groups, were also identified from the P. argus transcriptome: AST-A, bursicon, CCHamide, DH31, diuretic hormone 44, ETH, FLP, GPH, inotocin, insulin-like peptide, myosuppressin, natalisin, periviscerokinin, sNPF, and TRP. Collectively, the reported data provide a powerful resource for expanding studies of neuropeptidergic control of physiology and behavior in members of the genus Panulirus specifically, and decapods generally.