GH Human, Plant
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Growth hormone (GH), also known as somatotropin, is a peptide hormone that plays a crucial role in stimulating growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration in humans and other animals . Human growth hormone (hGH) is particularly important for human development and has various biological functions, including protein synthesis, cell proliferation, and metabolism .
Recombinant DNA technology has revolutionized the production of growth hormones. Initially, growth hormone was extracted from human pituitary glands, but this method had limitations, including the risk of contamination and limited supply . The advent of recombinant DNA technology allowed for the production of hGH in various host systems, including bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells .
In recent years, plant-based expression systems have emerged as a promising alternative for producing recombinant proteins, including hGH. Plant systems offer several advantages over traditional animal and yeast systems:
- Safety: Plant-based systems are free from human or animal pathogens, reducing the risk of contamination.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Plants can be grown at a lower cost compared to animal cell cultures.
- Scalability: Plants can be cultivated on a large scale, providing a potentially limitless source of recombinant proteins .
Molecular pharming refers to the use of genetically modified plants to produce pharmaceutical proteins. This approach has gained attention due to its potential to produce therapeutic proteins, antibodies, and enzymes at a lower cost and with fewer safety concerns . Plant-based expression systems can utilize various plant tissues, such as seeds, leaves, and roots, to produce recombinant proteins. These systems can employ stable transformation of the nuclear genome or transient expression methods to achieve high yields of the desired protein .
The production of recombinant hGH in plants involves several steps:
- Gene Cloning: The gene encoding hGH is cloned into a suitable plant expression vector.
- Transformation: The expression vector is introduced into plant cells using techniques such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation or biolistic particle delivery.
- Expression: The transformed plant cells express the hGH gene, producing the recombinant protein.
- Purification: The recombinant hGH is extracted and purified from the plant tissues using various biochemical techniques .
Advantages:
- Low Risk of Contamination: Plant-based systems are free from human pathogens.
- Cost-Effective Production: Lower production costs compared to animal cell cultures.
- Scalability: Potential for large-scale production.
Challenges:
- Regulatory Approval: Ensuring that plant-derived recombinant proteins meet regulatory standards for therapeutic use.
- Yield Optimization: Improving the yield and stability of recombinant proteins in plant systems.
- Post-Translational Modifications: Ensuring that plant-derived proteins undergo appropriate post-translational modifications, such as glycosylation, to maintain their functionality .
