proinsulin

[ proh-in-suh-lin, -ins-yuh- ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. the prohormone of insulin, converted into insulin by enzymatic removal of part of the molecule.

Word History and Origins

Origin of proinsulin¹

First recorded in 1915–20; pro- ¹ + insulin

Example Sentences

Wheeler's colleagues in Brazil inserted a segment of human DNA coding for proinsulin -- the protein precursor of the active form of insulin -- into cell nuclei of 10 cow embryos.

From Science Daily

Still, human proinsulin and, surprisingly, insulin were detectable in the milk.

From Science Daily

"Our goal was to make proinsulin, purify it out to insulin, and go from there. But the cow basically processed it herself. She makes about three to one biologically active insulin to proinsulin," Wheeler said.

From Science Daily

The insulin and proinsulin, which would need to be extracted and purified for use, were expressed at a few grams per liter in the milk.

From Science Daily

The bacteria were engineered to produce proinsulin and an anti-inflammatory cell-signalling molecule called interleukin-10.

From Nature