Evaluation of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Secretion in E. coli using the L-asparaginase II Signal Peptide

BACKGROUND: In the recent years, there has been an increasing interest in secretory production of recombinant proteins, due to its various advantages compared with intracellular expression. Signal peptides play a critical role in prosperous secretion of recombinant proteins. Accordingly, different signal peptides have been assessed for their ability to produce secretory proteins by trial-and-error experiments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-asparaginase II signal peptide on the recombinant human Growth Hormone (hGH) protein secretion in the Escherichia coli (E. coli) host. METHODS: Cloning and expression of a synthetic hGH gene, containing L-asparaginase II signal sequence was performed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) using 0.1mM IPTG as an inducer at 23°C overnight. Periplasmic protein extraction was performed using three methods, including osmotic shock, osmotic shock in the presence of glycine and combined Lysozyme/EDTA osmotic shock. Afterwards, the hGH expression was determined by SDS-PAGE. RESULTS: Based on experimentally obtained results, hGH protein is expressed as inclusion body even in the presence of L-asparaginase II signal peptide. CONCLUSION: Therefore, this signal peptide is not effective for secretory production of the recombinant hGH.