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).
