Recombinant expression of soluble gonad inhibiting hormone (GIH) from Penaeus monodon in a bacterial expression system

Successful reproduction of captive shrimp has been the primary goal of commercial breeding program. Gonad inhibiting hormone (GIH), a member of CMG neuropeptide hormone family present within the neural tissue of the eyestalk of crustaceans, exert profound influence on reproductive maturation in shrimps. Present study reports the recombinant expression and purification of the GIH gene, using an Escherichia coli expression system. This is the first report of expressing the recombinant GIH of P. monodon using E. coli expression system in its native soluble form secreted to the media. The purified recombinant peptide is useful in structure and function analysis, which can be used for identifying its interacting partners and elucidating its mode of action. Production of an antibody/antagonist for the GIH would facilitate the development of an immunological tool for induced maturation in shrimp industry. This procedure could replace the physiologically destructive eyestalk ablation technique. Keywords: Escherichia coli expression system, Eyestalk ablation, Immunological tool, Recombinant GIH protein