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Related Concept Videos

Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation01:25

Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of pancreatic β-cells synthesizes preproinsulin, which consists of a signal peptide, A and B chains, and a C-peptide. Preproinsulin is then cleaved and folded into proinsulin, which translocates to the Golgi apparatus for sorting and packaging into secretory granules. In these granules, enzymatic clipping generates insulin and C-peptide.
Damage or functional impairment of β-cells inhibits insulin production, leading to diabetes. Diabetes treatment primarily uses...
Production of Pharmaceuticals01:30

Production of Pharmaceuticals

Industrial insulin production uses genetically engineered E. coli expressing a proinsulin gene controlled by a tryptophan promoter and containing a methionine linker for later cleavage. The cells also carry ampicillin resistance for selective growth. Seed cultures are stored at −80 °C and production begins by thawing a small amount to inoculate starter cultures, which are progressively scaled to a 50,000-L bioreactor. In the bioreactor, E. coli grow in nutrient-rich media under sterile, tightly...
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways01:28

Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways

Insulin action is mediated through a receptor tyrosine kinase, akin to the IGF-1 receptor. The number of receptors per cell varies significantly, from 40 on erythrocytes to 300,000 on adipocytes and hepatocytes. The insulin receptor consists of linked α/β subunit dimers, forming a heterotetramer glycoprotein with two extracellular α subunits and two β subunits spanning the membrane. The α subunits inhibit the inherent tyrosine kinase activity of the β subunits, but this inhibition is released...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Homogeneous Time-resolved Förster Resonance Energy Transfer-based Assay for Detection of Insulin Secretion
07:30

Homogeneous Time-resolved Förster Resonance Energy Transfer-based Assay for Detection of Insulin Secretion

Published on: May 10, 2018

Landmarks in insulin research.

Colin W Ward1, Michael C Lawrence

  • 1Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Parkville, VIC, Australia.

Frontiers in Endocrinology
|June 2, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review highlights key discoveries in insulin structure and function, celebrating 90 years since its identification. It explores how insulin regulates glucose and interacts with its receptor to impact cell signaling.

Keywords:
insulininsulin receptortyrosine kinase receptor

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Insulin is a critical hormone regulating glucose metabolism.
  • Understanding insulin's structure and function is vital for metabolic research.
  • The 90th anniversary of insulin's discovery prompts a review of its scientific journey.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of landmark discoveries concerning insulin.
  • To examine the structure and function of insulin and its receptor.
  • To discuss insulin's role in glucose regulation and signal transduction.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of seminal research on insulin.
  • Analysis of key findings in insulin structure-function studies.
  • Synthesis of information on insulin receptor interactions and signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • Insulin's discovery revolutionized understanding of glucose homeostasis.
  • Decades of research have elucidated insulin's complex structure.
  • Insulin receptor binding triggers intricate intracellular signal transduction cascades.

Conclusions:

  • Insulin remains a cornerstone of metabolic research.
  • Continued study of insulin and its receptor offers therapeutic potential.
  • The legacy of insulin discovery underscores its profound impact on medicine and biology.