Question

Statements related to human insulin are given below: Which statement(s) is/are correct about genetically engineered Insulin?

1. Pro-hormone insulin contain extra stretch of C-peptide
2. A peptide and B-peptide chains of insulin were produced separately in E. coli, extracted and combined by creating a disulphide bond between them.
3. Insulin used for treating Diabetes was extracted from Cattles and Pigs.
4. Pro-hormone insulin needs to be processed for converting into a mature and functional hormone.
5. Some patients develop allergic reactions to the foreign insulin.

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. (a), (b) and (d) only
• B. (b) only
• C. (c) and (d) only
• D. (c), (d) and (e) only

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

(b) only

Answer 2

In mammals, including humans, insulin is synthesised as a pro-hormone which contains an extra stretch called the C peptide. The pro-hormone needs to be processed before it becomes fully mature and functional. However, in case of genetically engineered insulin, there is no C-peptide, hence no proinsulin is formed. Genetically engineered insulin that is used for diabetes is produced using yeast and bacteria, unlike natural insulin which was earlier extracted from pancreas of slaughtered cattle and pigs.