[en] Among Etmopteridae and Dalatiidae, luminous species use
hormonal control to regulate bioluminescence. Melatonin
(MT) triggers light emission and, conversely, alpha melanocyte-
stimulating hormone (a-MSH) actively reduces ongoing
luminescence. Prolactin (PRL) acts differentially, triggering
light emission in Etmopteridae and inhibiting it in Dalatiidae.
Interestingly, these hormones are also known as regulators of
skin pigment movements in vertebrates. One other hormone,
the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), also members of
the skin pigmentation regulators, is here pharmacologically
tested on the light emission. Results show that ACTH inhibits
luminescence in both families. Moreover, as MT and a-MSH/
ACTH receptors are members of the G-protein coupled
receptor (GPCR) family, we investigated the effect of hormonal
treatments on the cAMP level of photophores through
specific cAMP assays. Our results highlight the involvement
of ACTH and cAMP in the control of light emission in
sharks and suggest a functional similarity between skin pigment
migration and luminescence control, this latter being
mediated by pigment movements in the light organ-associated
iris-like structure cells.
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