Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 11, 2025
Eyestalk Ablation to Increase Ovarian Maturation in Mud Crabs
Published on: March 31, 2023
Production and functional characterization of a soluble recombinant molt-inhibiting hormone in the mud crab Scylla
Wanwipa Ittarat1, Patchari Yocawibun1, Phimsucha Bunphimpapha1
1National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand.
Abstract:
The molt-inhibiting hormone gene of the mud crab Scylla olivacea (ScoMIH) was successfully cloned and characterized, encoding a 113-amino-acid precursor with a 78-amino-acid mature peptide. Similar to other Brachyuran crabs, ScoMIH is exclusively expressed in the eyestalk ganglia (ES) with slightly higher expression levels during the intermolt stage. To produce a biologically active recombinant ScoMIH, a fusion construct incorporating thioredoxin (Trx) and a His₆ tag was designed, yielding a soluble 27 kDa protein. Functional assays demonstrated that Trx-ScoMIH effectively suppressed the expression of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in activated Y-organs, leading to reduced ecdysteroid secretion. Furthermore, in vivo administration of Trx-ScoMIH delayed and prolonged the molting process, mimicking the natural molt cycle observed in intact crabs. This study reports the successful production of a soluble, biologically active recombinant ScoMIH, providing a valuable tool for investigating MIH signaling.
