CONTENTS
• Hormones of Pancreas
• Synthesis of Insulin
• Structure of Insulin
CLINICAL • Diabetes Mellitus
• Complications of Diabetes Mellitus
DISORDERS OF • Glucagonoma
PANCREAS
,Hormones of Pancreas
• There are different types of cells in pancreas secreting different
hormones
,Structure of Insulin
• Insulin is composed of 51 amino acids arranged in two polypeptide chains, designated A (21
amino acids) and B (30 amino acids), which are linked together by two disulfide bridges
• The insulin molecule also contains an intramolecular disulfide bridge between amino acid
residues of the A chain.
, Synthesis of Insulin
• Insulin has a plasma half-life of
approximately 6 minutes
• Insulin is degraded by insulin-
degrading enzyme, which is present in
the liver and, to a lesser extent, in the
kidneys
• This short duration of action permits
rapid changes in circulating levels of
the hormone.
• The C-peptide is essential for proper
insulin folding. Also, because its half-
life in the plasma is longer than that of
insulin, the C-peptide is a good
indicator of insulin production and
secretion. It is used to differentiate
endogenous from exogenous Insulin
• Hormones of Pancreas
• Synthesis of Insulin
• Structure of Insulin
CLINICAL • Diabetes Mellitus
• Complications of Diabetes Mellitus
DISORDERS OF • Glucagonoma
PANCREAS
,Hormones of Pancreas
• There are different types of cells in pancreas secreting different
hormones
,Structure of Insulin
• Insulin is composed of 51 amino acids arranged in two polypeptide chains, designated A (21
amino acids) and B (30 amino acids), which are linked together by two disulfide bridges
• The insulin molecule also contains an intramolecular disulfide bridge between amino acid
residues of the A chain.
, Synthesis of Insulin
• Insulin has a plasma half-life of
approximately 6 minutes
• Insulin is degraded by insulin-
degrading enzyme, which is present in
the liver and, to a lesser extent, in the
kidneys
• This short duration of action permits
rapid changes in circulating levels of
the hormone.
• The C-peptide is essential for proper
insulin folding. Also, because its half-
life in the plasma is longer than that of
insulin, the C-peptide is a good
indicator of insulin production and
secretion. It is used to differentiate
endogenous from exogenous Insulin
