The INS gene provides instructions for producing the hormone insulin, which is made and secreted by specialized cells in the pancreas called beta cells. Insulin helps move glucose, also called blood sugar, from the blood into cells, where it is converted into energy. Glucose is a simple sugar and the primary energy source for most cells in the body.
The precursor to insulin is called proinsulin, which consists of a single chain of protein building blocks (amino acids). The proinsulin chain is cut (cleaved) to form individual pieces called A and B chains. These chains are joined together by connections called disulfide bonds to form insulin.
Other Names
IDDM1; IDDM2; proinsulin
Related Genetics Topics
- Permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus — MedlinePlus Genetics
- Type 1 diabetes — MedlinePlus Genetics
- Maturity-onset diabetes of the young — MedlinePlus Genetics
Identifiers
- NCBI Gene: 3630
- OMIM: 176730
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
