Amylin or Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), a 37-amino acid peptide is secreted by beta-islet cells of the pancreas and a major component of the amyloid deposits in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Amylin may be referred to as insulin’s “fraternal twin” as it is constitutively expressed with insulin in response to elevations of plasma glucose.

The knowledge of occurrence of amyloid deposits in islets of Langerhans, major pathologic feature of diabetics has been known for a century. But, the discovery of amylin as a major component of amyloid deposits was by two independent groups in 19871, 2.