Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026

Validation of Therapeutic Agent Conjugation to Polyvinyl Alcohol-Coated Medical Devices
Published on: November 29, 2024
A GLP-1 receptor agonist conjugated to an albumin-binding domain for extended half-life
Joel Lindgren1, Essam Refai, Sergei V Zaitsev
1Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, SE 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and related peptide agonists have been extensively investigated for glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetes, and may also have therapeutic applications for other diseases. Due to the short half-life (t1/2 < 2 min) of the endogenous peptide, caused by proteolytic degradation and renal clearance, different strategies for half-life extension and sustained release have been explored. In the present study, conjugates between a GLP-1 analogue and a 5 kDa albumin-binding domain (ABD) derived from streptococcal protein G have been chemically synthesized and evaluated. ABD binds with high affinity to human serum albumin, which is highly abundant in plasma and functions as a drug carrier in the circulation. Three different GLP-1-ABD conjugates, with the two peptides connected by linkers of two, four, and six PEG units, respectively, were synthesized and tested in mouse pancreatic islets at high (11 mM) and low (3 mM) glucose concentration. Insulin release upon stimulation was shown to be glucose-dependent, showing no significant difference between the three different GLP-1-ABD conjugates and unconjugated GLP-1 analogue. The biological activity, in combination with the high affinity binding to albumin, make the GLP-1-ABD conjugates promising GLP-1 receptor agonists expected to show extended in vivo half-life.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Insulin Formulations: Types and Delivery
Short-acting insulins are divided into...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Acarbose and miglitol are...
Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Continuous-Release Systems

