Adenovirus Expressing the Myostatin-Somatostatin-fusing Gene Increases Mouse Growth Rate

Abstract

Background Myostatin (MSTN), a type of transforming growth factor, can negatively regulate skeletal muscle growth. Immunisation of mice with recombinant yeast expressing MSTN increased bodyweight and muscle composition of them. Somatostatin (SST) is an inhibitory effector of growth hormone (GH), and active immunisation against SST with a DNA vaccine improves the growth performance of piglets via an influence on GH secretion. Here, a recombinant adenovirus was constructed and used to deliver MSTN-SST to mice to achieve the goal of regulation the growth performance of the mice. Results A recombinant adenovirus, rAd-MSTN-SST, expressing the MSTN-SST fusing protein was successfully rescued in HEK293A cells. The expressions of MSTN-SST were confirmed by western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence. Mice immunised with rAd-MSTN-SST were successfully induced to have an immune response against MSTN-SST, which increased their growth rate and muscle mass. In addition, a booster immunisation was beneficial in terms of higher antibody response and mouse growth rate. Conclusions Fusing protein MSTN-SST is a good candidate for regulating animal growth rate and muscle mass. Adenovirus can be used as a vector for delivering MSTN and SST to animals.