The effects of conformation and metal cation on insulin’s aggregation into hexamers were studied at the air-water interface using the Langmuir monolayer technique. In the presence of divalent metal cations, typically zinc, insulin tends to aggregate into hexamers. The effects of other metal cations were tested on insulin at physiological pH and temperature. Zinc and copper cations were studied with each insulin’s three conformations, T6, T3R3, and R3, to see how insulin’s conformation affects its aggregation and interactions among hexamers. Additionally, vanadium compounds were tested using the Langmuir monolayer technique to see if they can induce the hexameric conformation of insulin. A student-built Brewster angle microscope was used to visualize the insulin monolayers and identify any discernible features present among the various monolayers. Details of the construction of this microscope will be discussed.

Study of insulin aggregation using Langmuir monolayers and Brewster angle microscopy

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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