Human Insulin Hexamer Molecular Structure

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The molecular structure of the T3R3 human insulin hexamer is a crucial aspect of its function and stability. Insulin, stored within pancreatic β-cells as micro-crystals of hexameric assemblies, is highly stable in this arrangement. As the hormone that controls blood glucose levels, insulin plays a vital role in maintaining overall health. Dorothy Hodgkin's groundbreaking research using X-ray diffraction in 1969 revealed the structure of insulin, paving the way for further understanding of its molecular properties. The model was constructed utilizing ChimeraX from X-ray diffraction crystal structure data found in the Protein Data Bank (PDB ID: 1TRZ). Further insight into the T3R3 human insulin hexamer's coordination around zinc can be gleaned from "Crystallographic evidence for dual coordination around zinc in the T3R3 human insulin hexamer," a study published by Ciszak and Smith in Biochemistry in 1994 (Volume 33, Issue 5). The research provides valuable information on the molecular structure of insulin.