This molecule’s initial 37-amino acid form is cleaved and amidated in the brain stem to form its active 30- or 31-amino acid form. For 10 points each:
[10m] Name this incretin that is mimicked by a class of type 2 diabetes drugs that includes semaglutide, which has recently gained popularity as an off-label weight loss drug.
ANSWER: GLP-1 [or glucagon-like peptide 1; accept GLP-1 receptor agonists or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists or GLP-1-RAs]
[10h] Semaglutide’s substitution of AIB for alanine prevents it from being acted on by an incretin-degrading member of this protease family. Cathepsin C is also a member of this family.
ANSWER: dipeptidyl peptidases [or DPPs; accept either answer followed by an integer between 1 and 8 inclusive]
[10e] Both GLP-1 and semaglutide promote the production of this hormone responsible for lowering blood glucose levels.
ANSWER: insulin
<Adam Fine, Biology>