Overview Of The Endocrine System

The prevalence of diagnosed endocrinological disorders has increased during the 20th century and into the 21st century. These disorders interfere in the day to day lives of those who have them. A common disorder of the endocrine system is diabetes, type 1 and type 2. While there have been many treatment methods used of the years the use of biotechnology like recombinant DNA technology has revolutionized and standardized the treatments.

Diabetes Overview

Blood Glucose, the Pancreas and Insulin

In order for the body to maintain homeostatic levels of energy, blood glucose regulation is essential. Glucose is one of the body’s principal fuels. It is an energy-rich monosaccharide sugar that is broken down in our cells to produce adenosine triphosphate. In the small intestine, glucose is absorbed into the blood and travels to the liver via the hepatic portal vein. The hepatocytes absorb much of the glucose and convert it into glycogen, an insoluble polymer of glucose. Glycogen, which is stored in the liver and skeletal muscles, can easily be reconverted into glucose when blood-glucose levels fall. All of the body’s cells need to make energy but most can use other fuels such as lipids. Neurons; however, rely almost exclusively on glucose for their energy. This is why the maintenance of blood-glucose levels is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system.

Insulin is released when the β cells of the islets of langerhans in the pancreas detect an increase in blood sugar levels. Insulin’s release is also stimulated by increased levels of amino acids and acetylcholine denoting activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Both of these things signify digestion, which is usually responsible for increases in blood sugar. In...

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... the codon for the amino acid methionine is added the head of each chain.

The synthetic A and B chains are then inserted into the bacteria’s gene for B-galactosidase, which is carried in the vectors plasmid. The vector for the production of insulin is a weakened strain of the common bacteria Escherichia coli, usually called E. coli. The recombinant plasmids are then reintroduced to the E. coli cells. As the B-galactosidase replicates in a cell undergoing mitosis the insulin gene is expressed. To yield substantial amounts of insulin millions of the bacteria possessing the recombinant plasmid are required.

Either the A or B chain of insulin is then extracted from the b-galactose and purified. The two chains are then mixed. A chemical reaction forms the disulfide cross bridges connecting the two chains and resulting in Humilin.

Further Developments in Insulin Therapy