Two beta-pigment-dispersing hormone (β-PDH) isoforms in the mud crab, Scylla paramamosain: Implication for regulation of ovarian maturation and a photoperiod-related daily rhythmicity

• Two Sp-β-PDH cDNA isoforms (I and II) were firstly isolated from the mud crab.
• β-PDH was expressed in the ovary tissue that does not belong to the nervous system.
• Sp-β-PDH-I and II might be involved in vitellogensis.
• Sp-β-PDH-II expressions had a photoperiod-related daily rhythmicity.
• The bright light could inhibit Sp-β-PDHs expressions.

In crustaceans, the neuropeptide pigment dispersing hormone (PDH), including α- and β-PDH, is mainly involved in color changes related to the dispersion of integumental pigments and shielding pigments in the compound eye. In this study, we cloned two β-PDH isoforms in the mud crab Scylla paramamosain (termed Sp-β-PDH-I and II, respectively). The tissue distribution analysis in the females showed that Sp-β-PDH-I was mainly expressed in the eyestalk and to a much lesser extent in the brain, thoracic ganglion and ovary; however, Sp-β-PDH-II was exclusively distributed in the eyestalk. From there, we detected Sp-β-PDHs expression levels in the eyestalks (for Sp-β-PDH-I and II) and ovaries (for Sp-β-PDH-I) at different stages of ovarian development. The expression of Sp-β-PDH-I was consistent between the eyestalk and ovary; it maintained high levels from the pre-vitellogenic stage to the vitellogenic stage and then decreased significantly during the mature stage. By contrast, Sp-β-PDH-II expression levels were high only during the vitellogenic stage and significantly lower during the pre-vitellogenic and mature stages. Additionally daily expression analysis of the first stage crabs during the 24-h period showed that the expression level of Sp-β-PDH-II had an obvious daily rhythmicity and bright light could inhibit Sp-β-PDHs expressions. Moreover, photoresponses of Sp-β-PDHs further indicated that the daily rhythmicity was closely regulated by photoperiods. The combined results suggested for the first time that PDH is involved in regulating ovarian maturation in crustaceans and that a photoperiod-related daily rhythmicity of PDH exists in the juvenile crabs.