ROUGH PROJECT BIOLOGY

HUMAN-INSULIN

Ananthapadmanabhan A S
XII A
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Kv pattom shift I

What is insulin ?
Insulin is a hormone which acts as a key regulator of blood sugar levels,
ensuring that the body has a steady supply of energy for its various functions. It
is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas, which is an organ located behind
the stomach. Insulin is released in response to elevated blood glucose levels,
i.e. after consuming food.
Insulin plays a central role in maintaining blood glucose levels within a narrow
and healthy range.
Dysregulation of insulin production or function can lead to conditions such as
diabetes. In diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin (as in
Type 1 diabetes) or is unable to use insulin effectively (as in Type 2 diabetes).
This results in elevated blood sugar levels, which can lead to various health
complications if not properly managed. In these cases, individuals may need
insulin injections or other medications to help regulate their blood sugar levels.
during the early to mid-20th century. insulin was extracted from animal sources.
The process of extracting insulin from animals was a crucial advancement in
diabetes treatment during the early times
Pancreases from cows and pigs were commonly used due to the
similarity of their insulin to human insulin. The pancreases were obtained from
animals slaughtered for food purposes
.Problems with cattle derived insulin
While animal-derived insulin was a groundbreaking treatment for diabetes, it
had some limitations. There were slight differences between animal insulin and
human insulin, and some individuals experienced allergic reactions or
resistance to animal insulin. Additionally, the supply of animal pancreases was
finite and subject to variations in insulin content.
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development of DNA technology

The development of recombinant DNA technology in the late 20th century allowed for the
creation of synthetic human insulinThis biotechnological breakthrough enabled the large-
scale production of insulin using bacteria to produce human insulin.
Synthetic insulin is virtually identical to the insulin produced by the human body, reducing the
risk of adverse reactions and providing a more reliable source of insulin for individuals with
diabetes. Synthetic insulin has since become the standard for diabetes treatment.

The development of recombinant DNA technology in the late 20th century was a
groundbreaking advancement in the field of biotechnology. Recombinant DNA technology
allowed scientists to manipulate and combine DNA from different sources, paving the way
for numerous applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry. One of the significant
achievements of this technology was the production of synthetic human insulin.

Production of synthetic human insulin

The production of synthetic human insulin using recombinant DNA technology in the
1980s was a groundbreaking achievement in the field of biotechnology. This marked a
significant advancement in diabetes treatment, offering a safer and more sustainable
source of insulin for individuals with diabetes

Isolation of the Human Insulin Gene:

● The first step involved isolating the gene responsible for producing human
insulin. Scientists identified and extracted the specific DNA sequence that
codes for insulin from human cells.

Insertion into a Plasmid Vector:

● The isolated human insulin gene was then inserted into a small, circular DNA
molecule called a plasmid vector. Plasmids are often used as carriers to
introduce foreign genes into host organisms.

Introduction into Host Organisms:

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● The recombinant plasmid, now containing the human insulin gene, was
introduced into host organisms, commonly bacteria (such as Escherichia
coli) or yeast cells. These host organisms would serve as living factories for
the production of insulin.

Expression of the Insulin Gene:

● Once inside the host cells, the insulin gene in the plasmid directed the host
cells to produce human insulin. The cellular machinery of the host organism,
including transcription and translation processes, was utilized to generate
the insulin protein.

Harvesting and Purification:

● The insulin produced by the host cells was harvested and then subjected to
purification processes. These processes were designed to separate insulin
from other cellular components and contaminants, resulting in a highly
purified form of synthetic human insulin.

Regulatory Approval:

● The synthetic human insulin underwent extensive clinical trials to demonstrate its
safety and effectiveness. Regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), reviewed the data and granted approval for the commercial
production and distribution of synthetic insulin.

This biotechnological breakthrough not only improved the safety and reliability of insulin
therapy for individuals with diabetes but also laid the foundation for the broader
application of recombinant DNA technology in medicine and biotechnology.

❖ The genetic basis of Humulin begins with the isolation of the human insulin gene.
The human insulin gene is a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for
making insulin. This gene is naturally present in the human genome.
❖ Once isolated, the human insulin gene is cloned. This involves creating multiple
copies of the gene using techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or
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other cloning methods. This ensures an abundant and reproducible source of the
insulin gene.
❖ The cloned insulin gene is then inserted into a small, circular DNA molecule called a
plasmid. Plasmids act as carriers to introduce foreign genes into host organisms.
The combination of the insulin gene and the plasmid is a recombinant DNA
molecule.
❖ The recombinant plasmid, now containing the human insulin gene, is introduced
into host organisms. Commonly, bacteria (such as Escherichia coli) or yeast cells
are used as host organisms. These genetically modified hosts serve as "factories"
for the production of human insulin.
❖ Within the host organisms, the insulin gene is expressed. This means that the host
cells use the genetic instructions from the insulin gene to synthesize human insulin.
The cellular machinery, including transcription and translation processes, is
employed for this purpose.
❖ The insulin produced by the host cells is harvested. The harvested material
undergoes purification processes to isolate human insulin from other cellular
components. These purification steps are critical to obtaining a highly pure and
biologically active form of insulin.

In summary, at the genetic level, Humulin is a product of recombinant DNA

technology where the human insulin gene is isolated, cloned, inserted into a
plasmid vector, introduced into host organisms, expressed, harvested, purified, and
subjected to quality control measures before being commercially produced as a
synthetic form of human insulin. This process allows for the large-scale production
of insulin that is virtually identical to the insulin produced by the human body,
providing a safe and effective treatment for individuals with diabetes.