SYNTHETIC INSULIN
T H E R E S A K E N N E D Y
B M E 1 8 1 S E C T I O N 1
AP R I L 8 , 2 0 1 3
INSULIN
• Produced in the pancreas.
• A necessary hormone that enables bodily cells to allow blood
sugar to enter and be converted into energy.
WHAT IS INSULIN?
Insulin:
• A protein hormone
• Made up of two chains of amino acids.
• "A" chain which has 21 amino acids
• "B" chain which has 30 amino acids
• Linked together by two disulfide bonds.
WHY IS INSULIN IMPORTANT?
• Diabetes affects 25.8 million people of all ages. ( 7 million of
which are undiagnosed).
• 8.3 % of the U.S. population
• Type 1 diabetes
• Autoimmune disease where the immune system destroys the beta cells
(insulin producing cells of the pancreas)
• Pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin
• Requires daily administration of insulin.
• The cause of type 1 diabetes is not known and it is not preventable with
current knowledge.
• Type 2 diabetes
• The body ineffectively uses insulin.
• Type 2 diabetes comprises 90% of people with diabetes around the world,
and is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity.
WHAT WAS USED BEFORE HAND?
• Pig and cattle pancreas glands
were once the only viable
method.
• This was sufficient for most
diabetics however there was
issues:
• Animals insulin caused some allergic
reactions.
• Not a true human match to insulin.
• Not the most efficient way to obtain
insulin.
INTRODUCTION OF SYNTHETIC
INSULIN
• Synthetic insulin was first made in
1978 by scientists at Genetech, Inc.
and City of Hope National Medical
Center.
• Made possible by the discovery
restriction enzymes & DNA ligase.
• Found naturally in bacteria.
• Catalysts to cut and rejoin DNA fragments.
HOW IT’S MADE
• Proteins are made in cells by translating the genetic
information carried in a cell's DNA
HOW IT’S MADE
• Scientists use restriction enzymes
and DNA ligase to make and link
together fragments of DNA
sequences to form complete
genes.
• These are then stitched into
circular DNA strands called
plasmids.
• The plasmids are introduced into
benign E. coli bacterial strains.
• Plasmids are small DNA molecules
that are physically separate from
and can replicate independently of,
chromosomal DNA within a cell.
HOW IT’S MADE
• The bacteria translate the genes into the "A" and "B"
chain proteins found in insulin.
• At this point the process is the same as how bacteria
make there own proteins.
• The chains are harvested to isolate them from the
bacteria and then a tetracycline (an antibiotic) is then
added to kill off the bacteria.
• The two chains are combined chemically to form the
complete insulin molecule which is identical to that
produced by the human body.
BENEFITS
• Less expensive
• Absorbed more rapidly
by the body
• Has a shorter more
manageable duration of
effectiveness
• Causes fewer allergic or
autoimmune reactions
than the animal insulin
hormone.
SIDE EFFECTS
• Concern and discussions about side effects have
increased in past years.
• Side effects:
•
•
•
•
•
•
extreme lethargy
mental confusion
memory loss
joint and muscle pains
depression
general feeling of being unwell.
QUESTIONS?
WORKS CITED
"Biology of C-peptide." Cebix. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.cebix.com/index.php/science/>.
"DNA Ligase." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 May 2013.
Web. 07 Apr. 2013.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_ligase>.
Hirst, Jenny. 30 Years of Synthetic Insulin, Are People with Diabetes
Getting the Best Deal? Rep. Insulin Dependent Diabetes
Trust, Oct. 2007. Web. 06 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.iddt.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/30-yearreport-oct-2007.pdf>.
"How Insulin Is Made Using Bacteria :: DNA Learning Center." DNALC
Blogs. Cold Spring Habor Laboratory, n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.dnalc.org/view/15928-How-insulin-is-madeusing-bacteria.html>.
"How Is Synthetic Insulin Made?" How Is Synthetic Insulin Made?
Diabetes Well Being, n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.diabeteswellbeing.com/synthetic-insulin.html>.