Abstract
Pigment dispersing hormone (PDH) was first isolated from the eyestalks of the shrimp Pandalus borealis as a light-adapting hormone. Crustacean PDHs were classified into two subtypes, α-PDH and β-PDH, mainly by the differences of the amino acid sequences. In addition to crustacean PDH homolog, pigment dispersing factor (PDF) has been identified in insects and nematodes. Crustacean PDHs and insect PDFs consist of 18 amino acid residues. Nematode PDF-like peptides, however, consist of 20–22 amino acid residues. All the identified PDHs and PDFs have amidated C-termini. PDH induces dispersion of retinal screening pigment and integumental chromatophores, and regulates the phototransduction process and circadian entrainment in crustaceans. PDF regulates a wide variety of physiological phenomena, such as circadian rhythms, locomotor activity, courtship behavior, male sex pheromone production, and ecdysone biosynthesis.
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