Synthetic insulin fragment with insulin-like biological activity

An insulin fragment, representing the C-terminal functionally important sit e of its molecule and responsible for receptor binding, was synthesized. Th e fragment consists of two peptides: a dipeptide (A 20-21) and an octapepti de (B 19-26), linked with a disulfide bond (A20 - B19), The biological acti vity of the newly synthesized fragment relative to insulin was assayed for the influence on glycogenesis and for the ability to stimulate glucose upta ke. Comparative tests for the biological activity of the synthesized fragme nt and of the intact hormone allowed us to conclude that the fragment has i nsulin-like properties.