Question

Statements related to human insulin are given below: Which statement(s) is/are correct about genetically engineered Insulin?

1. Pro-hormone insulin contain extra stretch of C-peptide
2. A peptide and B-peptide chains of insulin were produced separately in E. coli, extracted and combined by creating a disulphide bond between them.
3. Insulin used for treating Diabetes was extracted from Cattles and Pigs.
4. Pro-hormone insulin needs to be processed for converting into a mature and functional hormone.
5. Some patients develop allergic reactions to the foreign insulin.

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. (a), (b) and (d) only
• B. (b) only
• C. (c) and (d) only
• D. (c), (d) and (e) only

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To determine which statements are correct about genetically engineered insulin, let's evaluate each one individually.

a) Pro-hormone insulin contains extra stretch of C-peptide. 
This statement is true. Pro-insulin includes the C-peptide, which is removed to form active insulin.

b) A peptide and B-peptide chains of insulin were produced separately in E. coli, extracted and combined by creating a disulphide bond between them. 
This statement accurately describes the genetic engineering methodology for synthesizing insulin. The separate production and subsequent combination of A and B chains using disulphide bonds is a key aspect of the biotechnological manufacturing of human insulin.

c) Insulin used for treating Diabetes was extracted from Cattles and Pigs. 
This statement is historically true but not relevant to genetically engineered insulin specifically. Prior to recombinant DNA technology, insulin was extracted from animals, but the question focuses on genetically engineered insulin.

d) Pro-hormone insulin needs to be processed for converting into a mature and functional hormone. 
This statement is true. The processing of pro-insulin into mature insulin involves specific enzymatic steps to remove the C-peptide.

e) Some patients develop allergic reactions to the foreign insulin. 
This statement is more relevant to traditional animal-derived insulin rather than genetically engineered human insulin, which reduces the risk of allergic reactions.

Among these, option (b) clearly describes a defining characteristic of genetically engineered insulin.

Conclusion: The correct choice is (b) only.