Exendin-4

Exendin-4 is a 39 aa polypeptide and incretin mimetic which was first isolated from Gila monster saliva. The synthetic form, Exenatide, is a glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist approved for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type II. Research shows Exendin-4 is involved in glucose-dependent enhancement of insulin secretion, reduction of hyperglycemia, glucose-dependent suppression of inappropriately high glucagon secretion, slowing of gastric emptying, and reduction of food intake, often with body weight reduction or blunting of weight gain.