Modified Nucleotide Sequence Encoding Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), Nucleic Acid Construct Comprising Same for Production of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), Human Cells Comprising Said Construct and Insulin-Producing Constructs, and Method of Use Thereof

An isolated chimeric GLP-1 nucleic acid sequence encoding a human pro-insulin leader, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and a furin cleavable site between the human pro-insulin leader sequence and the GLP-1 is provided. Also provided is an isolated modified chimeric GLP-1 nucleic acid sequence encoding a human pro-insulin leader, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and a furin cleavable site between the human pro-insulin leader sequence and the GLP-1. Recombinant expression vectors comprising the chimeric GLP-1 nucleic acid sequences, which produce GLP-1 constitutively are provided, as are human cells transfected with such an expression vector in combination with an expression vector comprising a proinsulin nucleic acid sequence and an expression vector comprising a furin and a glucose-regulatable TGF-alpha promoter. Methods of producing human GLP-1 constitutively are provided as are method of producing GLP-1 and insulin or in a glucose-dependent manner using such transfected cells. Methods of treating a subject having Type II diabetes and methods of treating a subject prone to hyperglycemia or suffering from hyperglycemia are provided in which transfected cells produce human GLP-1 and insulin in a glucose-dependent manner. Also provided are methods of reducing weight in a subject by implanting into the subject transfected cells which produce human GLP-1 and insulin in a glucose-dependent manner.