Genetically Engineered Insulin

Genetically Designed Insulin, commonly known as recombinant insulin, is a type of insulin created using genetic engineering techniques. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels in the body and is vital for diabetics who cannot make enough insulin on their own. Prior to the development of genetically modified insulin, insulin was acquired from the pancreas of cows and pigs, which resulted in allergic reactions and uneven potency. Insulin may now be manufactured in a laboratory setting using recombinant DNA technology, resulting in a more dependable and consistent product that is less prone to induce allergic responses.

Recombinant Insulin

Recombinant insulin is a type of insulin that is produced using DNA technology. It is made by inserting the gene that codes for insulin into a bacterial or yeast cell, which then produces the insulin protein.

Genetically engineered insulin is produced by inserting the human insulin gene into bacteria or yeast cells using recombinant DNA technology. These cells are then grown under controlled conditions to produce insulin in large quantities, which is cheaper and easier to produce than animal-derived insulin. Compared to traditional animal-derived insulin, genetically engineered insulin is much purer and does not contain impurities that could cause allergic reactions in patients. This development has revolutionized the treatment of diabetes, as animal-derived insulin was not only expensive but also impure and could cause allergic reactions in some patients.

The first genetically engineered insulin was developed by Dr. Herbert Boyer and Dr. Stanley Cohen in 1978, and it was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1982 after human trials. Since then, genetically engineered insulin has become the standard treatment for diabetes worldwide, helping millions of people to manage their condition effectively and lead everyday lives.

Previously, insulin used for diabetes treatment was obtained by extracting it from the pancreas of slaughtered cattle and pigs. However, animal-derived insulin contained foreign proteins that caused allergies or other adverse reactions in some patients. Insulin comprises two short polypeptide chains – chain A and chain B – linked together by disulfide bridges.

In mammals, including humans, insulin is produced as a pro-hormone containing an additional stretch called the C peptide. During maturation into insulin, the C peptide is removed, resulting in mature insulin. The main challenge in producing insulin using rDNA technology was to assemble insulin into a mature form.

In 1983, the American company Eli Lilly overcame this challenge by preparing two DNA sequences corresponding to human insulin’s A and B chains. These DNA sequences were introduced into plasmids of E. coli to produce insulin chains A and B separately. The chains were extracted and combined by creating disulfide bonds to form mature human insulin.

Insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood. It is produced naturally in the pancreas, but people with diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or their bodies do not use insulin effectively. As a result, they need to take insulin injections to regulate their blood sugar levels.

Before the development of recombinant insulin, insulin for medical use was derived from the animal pancreas, such as cows or pigs. However, animal insulin is not identical to human insulin and can cause allergic reactions or other complications in some patients.

Recombinant insulin, on the other hand, is identical to human insulin because it is produced using the human insulin gene. The gene is inserted into a bacterial or yeast cell, which then produces the insulin protein. The insulin is purified from the cell and formulated into injectable insulin for medical use.

Recombinant insulin has revolutionized the treatment of diabetes by providing a safe and reliable source of insulin that is identical to human insulin. It has fewer side effects and is more effective in regulating blood sugar levels than animal insulin. Additionally, recombinant insulin can be produced in large quantities, making it more readily available and affordable for patients who need it.

Need for Preparing Genetically Engineered Insulin

Genetically engineered insulin is a form of insulin created by genetically modifying bacteria or yeast cells. Many factors contribute to the requirement for genetically modified insulin production:

• In persons with diabetes, the pancreas may not create enough insulin or it may not operate effectively, resulting in excessive blood sugar levels. Diabetes patients now have an alternate source of insulin thanks to genetically modified insulin.
• Prior to the development of genetically modified insulin, insulin was taken from animal pancreas such as pigs and cows. This increased the possibility of contamination with animal viruses and other pathogens. This risk is eliminated since genetically modified insulin is manufactured under sterile circumstances.
• Because genetically engineered insulin is designed to closely mimic human insulin, it is more successful than animal insulin in managing blood sugar levels.
• Genetically modified insulin is readily available and can be manufactured in massive amounts, guaranteeing that it is available to those who require it.
• Genetic engineering enables insulin to be tailored to the specific demands of diabetic patients. Several varieties of insulin, for example, can be manufactured with various rates of absorption and duration of action.

Difference Between Natural and Recombinant Insulin

	Natural Insulin Recombinant Insulin	Recombinant Insulin
Source	Extracted from the pancreas of animals (typically pigs or cows)	Produced using genetic engineering techniques in a laboratory
Purity	Contains impurities from animal sources	Highly purified
Allergenicity	Some people may have an allergic reaction due to animal proteins	Lower risk of allergic reactions
Availability	Limited availability due to reliance on animal sources	Widely available
Types	Only two types are available: regular and NPH	A wide range of types available, including rapid-acting, long-acting, and combination formulations
Dosage	Dosage varies based on the animal source and batch	More consistent dosage due to precise manufacturing
Price	Lower cost due to reliance on animal sources	Higher cost due to the manufacturing process

FAQs on Genetically Engineered Insulin

Question 1: What is Biotechnology?

Answer:

Biotechnology uses living organisms, systems, and processes to develop new products or modify existing ones for various applications. It involves the creation of beneficial products in diverse sectors, such as agriculture, food, medicine, and the environment, using live creatures or their components.

Question 2: What is Genetically Engineered Insulin?

Answer:

Genetically engineered insulin is a type of insulin produced by inserting the human insulin gene into bacteria or yeast cells using recombinant DNA technology. These cells are cultivated under controlled conditions to produce insulin in large quantities, which is cheaper and purer than animal-derived insulin.

Question 3: How does Genetically Engineered insulin differ from Animal-Derived Insulin?

Answer:

Genetically engineered insulin is significantly purer than animal-derived insulin and does not contain impurities that could cause allergic reactions in patients. Animal-derived insulin contained foreign proteins that caused allergies or other adverse reactions in some patients.