Question

Write a brief note on Genetically Engineered Insulin.

Answer 1

Insulin is used to treat diabetic patients. This insulin was initially extracted from the pancreas of slaughtered cattle and pigs which developed allergic reactions in human body. Hence, genetically engineered human insulin was synthesized. Insulin is synthesized as a pro-hormone which contains three polypeptide chains: chain A, chain B and chain C. In mature insulin chain C is removed and is formed by chain A and chain B which are linked together by disulphide bridges. Eli Lilly prepared the two DNA sequences complementary to the A chain and B chain of insulin. These DNA sequences were incorporated in the plasmids of E. coli. These two chains were synthesizes separately, extracted and combined by disulphide bonds to form genetically engineered human insulin.