Human Somatostatin in E. coli

Somatostatin is a polypeptide hormone involved in regulating growth it is important in the treatment of various human growth disorders. The hormone is small, only 14 amino acids in length, making it a good candidate for cloning. In fact, it was the hrst human protein cloned in E. coli. 

The amino acid sequence of the hormone is (NII2)-Ala-Gly-Cys-Lys-Asn-Phe-Phe-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Cys-(COOH). Using the genetic code, it is straightforward to deduce an appropriate DNA sequence that would code for this polypeptide. For production of the hormone in E. coli, the gene fusion method was used. 

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