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Insulin Structure & Function
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| - | <StructureSection load='' size='500' side='right' scene=' | + | <StructureSection load='' size='500' side='right' scene='34/347648/Two_chains/1' caption='Human insulin chain A (grey) and chain B (green), [[2hiu]]'> |
==Function== | ==Function== | ||
'''Insulin''' is made by the pancreatic islet beta cells in response to elevated blood glucoselevels. Insulin signals cells that the body is in the "fed" state, and that it should take up glucose from the blood and make other appropriate response. For example, in the liver glycogen synthesis is turned on, which provides a supply of glucose when the blood glucose levels fall under fasting conditions. Insulin also increases fat synthesis in adipocytes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreatic cells do not release insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels and increased fat metabolism. Consequently, there is "spillover" of glucose into the urine, and weight loss due to the loss of body fat stores. | '''Insulin''' is made by the pancreatic islet beta cells in response to elevated blood glucoselevels. Insulin signals cells that the body is in the "fed" state, and that it should take up glucose from the blood and make other appropriate response. For example, in the liver glycogen synthesis is turned on, which provides a supply of glucose when the blood glucose levels fall under fasting conditions. Insulin also increases fat synthesis in adipocytes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreatic cells do not release insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels and increased fat metabolism. Consequently, there is "spillover" of glucose into the urine, and weight loss due to the loss of body fat stores. | ||
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3D structures of insulin
Additional Resources
Thanks to 'User:Whitney_Stoppel' for the hexameric insulin scenes.
For additional information, see: Diabetes & Hypoglycemia
