Page data last changed: . Chemistry registry snapshot: . Registry refreshes and identity assessments are separate from scientific content review.
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
Residues plotted ~100° apart around an α-helix — clustering of one color reveals an amphipathic face.
Structure & chemistry
Molecular identity & reference confidence
Source-supported reference
Reference values are taken from the cited molecular record or curated profile. A database match is not independent laboratory verification; modifications, counter-ions, and formulations can change the measured mass.
- Molecular form
- Insulin (source record; form not independently established)
- Species
- Not established by this molecular identity audit
- Termini (N / C)
- Not specified / Not specified
Average reference mass
Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05
- IUPHAR/BPS source snapshot · 2026-10-01
- PubChem molecular record · 2026-10-01
- Molecular formula
- C256H381N65O77S6
- Average reference mass
- ≈ 5,794
- Status
- Approved medicine in at least one jurisdiction (IUPHAR record)
Chemistry values: PubChem, IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology · fetched 2026-10-01.
Clinical development snapshot
ClinicalTrials.gov lists 8,203 registered studies with “Insulin” as an intervention (snapshot 2026-10-01). A registry footprint is not evidence of efficacy or approval.
| NCT | Title | Phase | Status | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07851545 | Early Glucose States and 72-Hour Care-Metabolic Clusters in Critically Ill Patients | — | completed | 2026-10-01 |
| NCT06597149 | Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) on Plasma Insulin Levels | Not applicable | recruiting | 2026-10-01 |
| NCT05713799 | Trial of the Combination of Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Mirabegron in Women and in Men With Obesity | Phase 2 | not yet recruiting | 2026-10-01 |
| NCT06274749 | Effects of Urolithin A Supplementation on Glucose Metabolism in Healthy Adults 55 >= Years Old: A Randomized T | Not applicable | recruiting | 2026-10-01 |
| NCT06109311 | A Study of Orforglipron (LY3502970) in Participants With Type 2 Diabetes and Inadequate Glycemic Control With | Phase 3 | completed | 2026-10-01 |
| NCT05120544 | Expanding Technology-Enabled Nurse Delivered Chronic Disease Care | Not applicable | completed | 2026-10-01 |
Insulin — reconstitution calculator
Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.
Reference form: Insulin (source record; form not independently established)Average reference mass: 5,794 Da
Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.
Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.
Change log
Dated observations from the data pipeline (registry flags, trial footprints, identifiers) and editorial reviews of this profile.
- Trials33 registered studies added on ClinicalTrials.gov (now 8203).
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.
What Canadian product status is recorded for Insulin?+
Canadian product status for Insulin has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.
What is the typical length of Insulin?+
Insulin is commonly described as approximately 51 amino acids (Hormone).
Related peptides
References & further reading
- 1.Le et al. (2023). Insulin signaling and its application. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)
- 2.Ogawa et al. (2022). New classification and diagnostic criteria for insulin resistance syndrome. Endocr J
- 3.Frank et al. (2014). Insulin dysregulation. Equine Vet J
- 4.Needham et al. (2024). Personalized phosphoproteomics of skeletal muscle insulin resistance and exercise links MINDY1 to insulin action. Cell Metab
- 5.Lechleitner et al. (2011). Insulin therapy. Wien Med Wochenschr
- 6.Simpson et al. (1999). Insulin aspart. Drugs
- 7.Rhea et al. (2024). Insulin and the blood-brain barrier. Vitam Horm
- 8.Waldhäusl (1992). [Insulin resistance]. Acta Med Austriaca
- 9.PubChem — compound summary for Insulin Human (CID 118984375)
- 10.Wikipedia — Insulin