Synthetic insulin fragment with insulin-like biological activity.

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