#27706 Mouse/Rat Intact Proinsulin Assay Kit has been released. Proinsulin is a precursor of insulin that is synthesized in the β cells of the islet of Langerhans of pancreas. Most of the proinsulin synthesized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of β cells is stored in the secretory granules. Proinsulin is cleaved by prohormone converting enzyme (PC) 1/3 at the junction of the C-peptide with the B-chain of insulin, subsequently it is cleaved by PC2 at the junction of the C-peptide with the A-chain of insulin, consequently it is divided into insulin that consists of 21 amino-acid A chain and 30 amino-acid β chain and c-peptide that consists of 33 amino acid. It has been considered that the conversion rate from proinsulin to insulin in type 2 diabetes patients decreases due to dropping down of PC1/3 enzymatic activity by abnormal function of pancreatic β cells. Thus, intact proinsulin level in blood or the ratio of intact proinsulin and insulin (P/I ratio) can be considered to become a potential biomarker that reflects functional change of the PC1/3 activity at pancreaticβ cell. It has been especially known that the P/I ratio is a valuable pancreatic β cell evaluation method that does not require a loading test as it can be measured using blood samples in fasting.

This ELISA kit can be used for measuring intact proinsulin, not including cleaved intermediate products, in mouse and rat samples. For research use only - not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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