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Synthetic Insulin

Synthetic Insulin. Theresa Kennedy BME 181 Section 1 April 8, 2013. 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

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Synthetic Insulin

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  1. Synthetic Insulin Theresa Kennedy BME 181 Section 1 April 8, 2013

  2. Insulin • Produced in the pancreas. • A necessary hormone that enables bodily cells to allow blood sugar to enter and be converted into energy.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. How it’s made • Proteins are made in cells by translating the genetic information carried in a cell's DNA

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. Questions?

  13. 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-year- report-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-made- using-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>.

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