Neuropeptidomics of the American Lobster Homarus americanus

The American lobster, Homarus americanus, is not only of considerable economic importance but has also emerged as a pivotal model in neuroscience research. Neuropeptides, an important class of cell-to-cell signaling molecules, play crucial roles in a wide array of physiological and psychological processes. In light of the recently sequenced high-quality draft genome of the American lobster, our study sought to profile the neuropeptidome in this model organism. Employing advanced mass spectrometry techniques alongside functional genomic analysis, we identified 24 neuropeptide precursors and 101 unique mature neuropeptides in Homarus americanus. Intriguingly, 67 of these neuropeptides were discovered for the first time. Our findings offer a comprehensive overview of the peptidomic attributes of the lobster's nervous system and highlight the tissue-specific distribution of these neuropeptides. Collectively, this research not only enriches our understanding of the neural complexities of the American lobster but also sets a foundational basis for future investigations into the functional roles that these peptides play in crustacean species.