The Proinsulin C-peptide--A Multirole Model
2004

The Role of C-Peptide in Insulin Biosynthesis

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Donald F. Steiner

Primary Institution: Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago

Hypothesis

The C-peptide plays multiple roles in the biosynthesis and function of insulin.

Conclusion

The C-peptide is essential for the proper folding and assembly of insulin and may have additional physiological roles.

Supporting Evidence

  • The C-peptide is released in equimolar amounts with insulin, making it a useful indicator of insulin secretion.
  • Mutations in the C-peptide can affect the folding properties of proinsulin.
  • The C-peptide has been shown to influence insulin assembly and stability.

Takeaway

C-peptide helps insulin get made correctly in the body and might do other important things too.

Methodology

This is a review article summarizing existing research on the C-peptide's roles in insulin biosynthesis.

Limitations

The review does not present new experimental data but summarizes existing literature.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1080/15438600490424389

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