AQPITDGQRLFSIAVSRVQHLHLLAQRLFSDFESSLQTEEQPQLNKIFLQ
DFCNCDYIISPIDKHETQRSSVLKLLSISYRLVESWEFPSRSLSGGSAPR
NQISPKLSELKTGIHLLIRANEDGAEIFPDRSALQLAPYGNYYQSLGTDE
SLRRTYELLACFKKDMHKVETYLTVAKCRLSPEANCTL
The gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) is a valuable species in aquaculture due to its high market demand and nutritional value. Growth hormone (GH) plays a crucial role in regulating growth and metabolism in fish, making it a key focus for enhancing aquaculture productivity. Recombinant growth hormone (rGH) technology has been developed to produce GH in large quantities, facilitating its use in aquaculture.
The cDNA coding for the mature gilthead seabream growth hormone (gsGH) was initially cloned into a pGEM-T vector. This cDNA was then transferred into a prokaryotic expression vector, pET-8, and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells upon induction with isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) . The expressed protein was found within the inclusion-body pellet, which was solubilized in 4.5 M urea, refolded at pH 11.3 in the presence of catalytic amounts of cysteine, and purified to over 98% purity .
The recombinant gsGH was purified using gel-filtration on a Superdex column under non-denaturing conditions. The purified protein was identified as a monomeric alanyl-gsGH through partial amino acid N-terminal sequencing . Binding assays demonstrated high specific binding of the [125I]gsGH to gilthead seabream liver microsomal fractions, characterized by a dissociation constant (Kd) of 1.93 nM .
Studies have shown that recombinant bovine growth hormone (rbGH) can induce metabolic remodeling in gilthead seabream. Intraperitoneal injection of extended-release rbGH in gilthead seabream fingerlings and juveniles resulted in enhanced somatic growth. This was achieved through increased lipolysis and glycogenolysis in the liver, higher lipid use, and lower protein oxidation in muscle tissues . The metabolic response favored protein sparing, promoting muscle growth by utilizing lipids as the primary energy source .
The use of recombinant growth hormones in aquaculture offers several advantages: