proinsulin

noun

pro·in·su·lin (ˌ)prō-ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən

: a single-chain pancreatic polypeptide precursor of insulin that gives rise to the double chain of insulin by cleavage and loss of the middle part of the molecule

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web At Cardiff University and King’s College London, researchers led by Dr. Mohammad Alhadj Ali isolated a compound called a proinsulin C19 A3 peptide. —

Melissa Healy, The Seattle Times, 9 Aug. 2017 At Cardiff University and King’s College London, researchers led by Dr. Mohammad Alhadj Ali isolated a compound called a proinsulin C19 A3 peptide. —

Melissa Healy, latimes.com, 9 Aug. 2017 In the 1950s, insulin was derived from the pancreases of cows and pigs and was thought to be contaminated with another protein, which today is known as proinsulin. —

Denise Gellene, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'proinsulin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of proinsulin was in 1916

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Proinsulin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proinsulin. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

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Medical Definition

proinsulin

noun

pro·in·su·lin (ˈ)prō-ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən

: a single-chain pancreatic polypeptide precursor of insulin that gives rise to the double chain of insulin by loss of the middle part of the molecule