Insulin, 10mg/ml

Insulin is produced through the processes of preproinsulin and proinsulin in the cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. It is a small protein hormone consisting of 51 amino acids with a molecular weight of 5.8 kDa. In the body, when blood glucose levels rise, insulin is secreted to bring glucose into cells, lowering blood glucose. It suppresses glucose production in the liver and promotes glucose uptake by peripheral tissues including muscle. In addition, it regulates the cellular uptake, utilization, and storage of amino acids and fatty acids, and inhibits the breakdown of glycogen, fat, and protein as well as ketone production. Therefore, adding insulin during cell culture aids cell growth and proliferation, and it is one of the primary components considered under serum-free conditions or when reducing serum.