DPP-4 peptidase

This is the human enzyme DPP-4. Well, DPP-4 chewing on GLP-1 hormone. When you eat, cells in your intestine releases incretin hormones like GLP-1. GLP-1 stimulates the release of insulin from your pancreas and hinders the release of glucagon (which has the opposite effect of insulin, increasing the concentration of glucose in the blood). The incretins make sure that your blood glucose level is well regulated, however it is important that incretins like GLP-1 does not have a too long effect. This is where DPP-4 comes into play. DPP-4 is an amazingly beautiful enzyme on the surface of almost every cell in the human body. Deep inside this hollow peptidase, is the active site. GLP-1 can access the heart of DPP-4 through a perfect opening and when it does, exactly two amino acids are cleaved off the hormone, rendering it totally inactive.

Included in the source files, you'll find the DPP-4 enzyme, the GLP-1 hormone and a split copy of DPP-4. Print it out and marvel at the beauty of natur