Preproinsulin
Preproinsulin
Preproinsulin (pronounced: pre-pro-in-su-lin) is a precursor molecule to the hormone insulin, which is crucial for the regulation of blood sugar levels in the body.
Etymology
The term "preproinsulin" is derived from the words "pre" (meaning before), "pro" (meaning precursor), and "insulin" (a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood).
Definition
Preproinsulin is the initial form of insulin that is synthesized in the pancreatic beta cells. It is a single-chain polypeptide consisting of 110 amino acids. The molecule undergoes a series of modifications to eventually form the active insulin hormone.
Synthesis and Processing
The synthesis of preproinsulin begins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the pancreatic beta cells. The preproinsulin molecule is then cleaved to form proinsulin, which is further processed to form the active insulin hormone. This process involves the removal of a segment known as the C-peptide, resulting in the formation of the mature insulin molecule, which consists of two polypeptide chains linked by disulfide bonds.
Related Terms
- Insulin: A hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood.
- Proinsulin: The direct precursor of insulin, formed from preproinsulin.
- C-peptide: A segment of proinsulin that is removed to form active insulin.
- Pancreatic beta cells: Cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
- Endoplasmic reticulum (ER): A cellular organelle where protein synthesis occurs.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Preproinsulin
- Wikipedia's article - Preproinsulin
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