The hormone that inspired pramlintide — and a landmark model of peptide amyloid aggregation.
Also known as: IAPP · islet amyloid polypeptide
Part of the Metabolic & GLP-1 peptides cluster
Overview
Amylin, or islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), is a 37-residue peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells. It is studied both as a metabolic signal and as a model of peptide aggregation, since human amylin forms the amyloid deposits characteristic of pancreatic islets in type 2 diabetes.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Pancreatic beta cells (co-stored with insulin)
Primary research or clinical context: Endogenous hormone; basis for engineered analogs studied in metabolism research
Structure and modifications
Amylin carries a disulfide bridge between its two N-terminal cysteines and an amidated C-terminus, both important for receptor activity. It signals through calcitonin-receptor complexes paired with RAMP accessory proteins — an example of how a single peptide's biology depends on its receptor partners.
Aggregation biology
Human amylin is amyloidogenic: it readily forms fibrils, and these deposits are a hallmark of islet pathology. This aggregation problem is precisely why the drug analog pramlintide was engineered with proline substitutions. Amylin is therefore a recurring reference point in both metabolic and protein-misfolding research.
Sequence
One-letter sequence commonly cited for Amylin (educational; isoforms and modifications may differ):
KCNTATCATQRLANFLVHSSNNFGAILSSTNVGSNTY
Residues plotted ~100° apart around an α-helix — clustering of one color reveals an amphipathic face.
FAQ about Amylin
What is Amylin?+
Amylin, or islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), is a 37-residue peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells. It is studied both as a metabolic signal and as a model of peptide aggregation, since human amylin forms the amyloid deposits characteristic of pancreatic islets in type 2 diabetes.
Is Amylin an approved medicine?+
Amylin is discussed here as a research / educational topic. Endogenous hormone; basis for engineered analogs studied in metabolism research. This is not medical advice.
What is the typical length of Amylin?+
Amylin is commonly described as approximately 37 amino acids (Hormone).