proinsulin

noun

pro·​in·​su·​lin (ˌ)prō-ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən How to pronounce proinsulin (audio)
: 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

Examples of proinsulin in a Sentence

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, 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 examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proinsulin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of proinsulin was in 1916

Dictionary Entries Near proinsulin

Cite this Entry

“Proinsulin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proinsulin. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

proinsulin

noun
pro·​in·​su·​lin (ˈ)prō-ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən How to pronounce proinsulin (audio)
: 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

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