First peptide therapeutic — transformed diabetes care in the 1920s.
Part of the Foundational & therapeutic peptides cluster
Overview
Insulin is a 51-amino-acid peptide hormone that regulates blood glucose. It is the foundational peptide therapeutic and a reference point for modern peptide drug design.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Pancreas (human/recombinant)
Primary research or clinical context: Diabetes treatment (approved therapeutic)
Structure and chains
Mature human insulin consists of an A chain (21 residues) and B chain (30 residues) linked by disulfide bonds. Recombinant production in bacteria or yeast replaced animal-sourced insulin decades ago.
Why it matters in peptide science
Insulin demonstrated that peptides can be manufactured at scale, formulated for injection, and used as lifelong therapies. Many later peptide drugs reuse lessons from insulin formulation and delivery.
Sequence
One-letter sequence commonly cited for Insulin (educational; isoforms and modifications may differ):
GIVEQCCTSICSLYQLENYCNFVNQHLCGSHLVEALYLVCGERGFFYTPKT
Analyze sequences in the playground →FAQ about Insulin
What is Insulin?+
Insulin is a 51-amino-acid peptide hormone that regulates blood glucose. It is the foundational peptide therapeutic and a reference point for modern peptide drug design.
Is Insulin an approved medicine?+
Insulin: Diabetes treatment (approved therapeutic). Always follow licensed medical guidance for approved products.
What is the typical length of Insulin?+
Insulin is commonly described as approximately 51 amino acids (Hormone).