[Recombinant DNA in the study of diabetes mellitus].

The structure and the regulatory mechanisms of insulin gene expression as well as the structure of the 5'-regulatory region of its gene are reviewed. Protein binding sites of the 5'-enhancer area of the insulin gene were identified by methods of site mutation, footprinting and competitive amplification in several papers. Diabetes induced by site mutation of the insulin gene is considered. Some viruses and viral proteins suppress the regulatory region of the insulin gene and induce diabetes symptoms. Transgenic animals carrying the natural human insulin gene together with the 5'-regulatory sequence in their genome show elevated human insulin and C-peptide secretion in response to high blood glucose concentration. The insulin receptor gene structure and mechanisms of insulin receptor functioning are discussed.