Geneticists from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (USA) and the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) managed to raise a cow whose milk contains human insulin. An article describing the work was published in the scientific journal The Biotechnology Journal.
“Mother Nature designed the mammary gland to be a factory for efficient protein production. We can take advantage of this system and help hundreds of millions of people around the world,” said study leader Professor Matt Wheeler.
A team of scientists managed to insert into the cell nuclei of 10 cow embryos a segment of human DNA encoding proinsul, a polypeptide hormone, a precursor to the active form of insulin. It was possible to raise a transgenic cow, but it was not possible to achieve artificial insemination of the chimera. Scientists took a different route and started the lactation process with the help of hormonal therapy. Milk production began after 21 days, and then the researchers milked the cow for a month and collected the milk for testing.
Initially, it was assumed that milk would contain proinsulin, and it would have to be purified to insulin. However, research results have shown the presence of human insulin in milk to a greater extent than proinsulin. The researchers estimated the concentration of insulin and proinsulin to be several grams per liter of milk. At the same time, scientists noted that when an animal is fertilized, the content of this protein may be completely different.
Normally, insulin is produced by the pancreas in humans. This gonmon is needed to regulate the concentration of glucose in the blood; its deficiency causes a dangerous disease – diabetes. According to WHO, more than 529 million people on earth suffered from it in 2021. It is expected that by 2050 the number of diabetics in the world will reach one and a half billion people.
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2024-03-28 17:14:52