Bovine Insulin Cell Culture Tested

Insulin, a two-chain polypeptide of approximately 5800 Dalton, is produced by β- cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas. It consists of two chains α and β, joined by two interchain disulphide bonds. It has a profound effect in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and inhibits the breakdown of glycogen, protein and fat. In cell culture, insulin has been considered as a key factor in the growth regulation and differentiation of cells, and hence, it is often included as a media supplement. It is an anabolic agent required to keep the cells healthy and fully responsive to mitogenic stimuli, especially when the cells are sparse and maintained in a low serum concentration. Therefore, it aids as a survival promoting factor in cell culture media.