Expression of the SOFaRP2 gene in the central nervous system of the adult cuttlefish Sepia officinalis

FMRFamide-related Peptides (FaRPs) are involved in a variety of physiological processes, including reproduction, feeding, development, body patterning and osmoregulation in vertebrates and invertebrates. Here we investigate the expression pattern of cuttlefish Sepia officinalis FaRP2 gene in the brain by in situ hybridization. The SOFaRP2 gene was found to be expressed most intensively in the posterior chromatophore lobe, vasomotor lobe and subvertical lobe. In addition, positive staining was also found in the fin lobe, brachial lobe, anterior chromatophore lobe, anterior, dorsal and lateral basal lobes, inferior and superior frontal lobes, and optic lobe. The expression pattern of SOFaRP2 suggests its involvement in chromatophore regulation, feeding behavior, and learning and memory.