THERESA KENNEDYBME 181 SECTION 1

APRIL 8, 2013

SYNTHETIC INSULIN

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-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>.