Growth-stimulating polypeptides for use in fish and crustaceans

摘要

The present invention is related with polypeptides which show an increased activity compared with tilapia growth hormone. These polypeptides are able to stimulate growth, survival and the quality of fish and crustaceans larvae. Also, they increase the defences against pathogens and stimulate parameters related with the immune system of aquatic organisms. The polypeptides encoding genes were cloned into a Pichia pastoris expression vector. This vector allows the extracellular expression of the target proteins. The culture supernatants which contain the target polypeptides were administrated by immersion baths or as a feed additive to aquatic organisms.