Stable expression of human growth hormone over 50 generations in transgenic insect larvae

Developments in insect transgenesis using transposons combined with available mass rearing technology for insects such as the Medfly, Ceratitis capitata, provide opportunity for the production of protein for industrial, agricultural and healthcare purposes on a very large scale. In this study, we report the germ-line transformation and expression of a cDNA encoding human growth hormone (hGH) in transgenic Drosophila using the Minos transposon. Production and secretion of a bioactive hGH into the haemolymph of transgenic larvae was demonstrated by immunoblot analysis, ELISA and a proliferation bioassay. Stable expression of hGH was observed over 50 generations. The results indicate that mass reared transgenic diptera with a rapid period of larval growth could provide cost effective production systems for the manufacture of therapeutic and other high value proteins.