GLP and Exendin

GLP (glucagon-like peptide) functions in the regulation of blood glucose through insulin, and plays a role in obesity and diabetes. GLP-1 is an important gastrointestinal peptide hormone or incretin, which is released when we eat, produced by tissue specific post-translational processing from a glucagon precursor, and inactivated by dipeptidylpeptidase DPP-4 enzymes. In response to eating, increased levels of GLP-1 stimulate insulin secretion and inhibit glucagon release leading to lower blood glucose levels.

Exendin-4 is a 39 amino-acid peptide found in venom from the Gila monster. It is a member of the glucagon-secretin family of peptide hormones and neuropeptides. As an agonist of the GLP-1 receptor, Exendin-4 is a potent stimulator of insulin secretion and has a much longer half life than GLP-1 (~2 minutes) making it a suitable drug candidate for the treatment of obesity and type-2 diabetes. Administrating GLP-1, GLP-1 analogues like Exendin-4, or DPP-4 inhibitors (drugs) raises insulin levels and prolongs the GLP-1 action of lowering blood glucose in patients with type-2 diabetes and obesity.