Question
Biology Question on Applications of Biotechnology
Genetically engineered bacteria have been successfully used in the commercial production of
A
human insulin
B
testosterone
C
thyroxine
D
melatonin
Answer
human insulin
Explanation
Solution
Human insulin has 53 amino acids in two polypeptides (A and B) connected by two S-S (disulphide) linkages. In 1983, American company Eli Lilly prepared two DNA sequences corresponding to A and B insulin chains. When introduced in plamids of E.coli, insulin chains were formed. They were extracted and fused to produce humulin (human insulin).