Biotechnology and Its Applications Question 38

38. Genetically engineered bacteria have been successfully used in the commercial production of

(a) human insulin

(b) testosterone

(c) thyroxine

(d) melatonin

Show Answer

Answer : a

Hints & Solutions

(a) Human insulin has 53 amino acids in two polypeptides (A and B), connected by two S-S (disulphide) linkages. In 1983, American company Eli Lilly prepared two DNA sequences corresponding to A and B insulin chains. When introduced in plamids of E.coli, insulin chains were formed. They were extracted and fused to produce humulin (human insulin).