Glossary
pancreas
A gland the size of a fist that is located behind the stomach. It secretes both digestive enzymes into the lower end of the stomach and it also secretes hormones vital to the regulation of various processes, including the regulation of blood sugar by the hormone insulin.
PDX-1
An early transcription factor involved in pancreatic development and regeneration.
phosphorylation
Phosphorylation is the covaleng addition of a phosphate (PO4) group to a protein or a small molecule. The activity of many proteins is regulated by phosphorylation of hydroxyl-containing residues (serine, threonine, tyrosine) by various protein kinases.
pluripotent
A cell that is able to differentiate into any of three major tissue types: ectoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. Despite their ability to differentiate into any type of cell, they cannot however develop into a full organism.
polyuria
Excessive urination. A common symptom of diabetes.
preproinsulin
Preproinsulin is the primary translation product of the insulin gene. It is composed of 110 amino acids with the following sequence:
MALWMRLLPLLALLALWGPDPAAAFVNQ
HLCGSHLVEALYLVCGERGFFYTPKTRREA
EDLQVGQVELGGGPGAGSLQPLALEGSLQ
KRGIVEQCCTSICSLYQLENYCN
(swissprot accession ID P01308)
In this initial state, preproinsulin is inactive and needs to be processed to proinsulin and then to insulin in order to be biologically active.
