Front of view of the Januvia-Dipeptidyl Protease IV Sculpture prior to installation. The gold moieties are the Januvia molecules as bound to DPPIV.
Dipeptidyl Protease IV with Januvia
Dipeptidylpotease IV (DPPIV)is an enzyme known to hydrolyze glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the human gut. Inhibitors of DPPIV extend the lifetime of GLP-1 and give therapeutic benefit to patients with type II non-insulin dependent diabetes. One of these drugs is Januvia, developed by Merck, who commissioned the sculpture. The sculpture shows the DPPIV dimer in green patina, and Januvia in gold as it is bound to each of the two subunits. The sculpture is made of stainless steel and bronze and stands approximately 18 inches above a granite base. It is installed at Merck’s Bluebell, Pennsylvania Research facility.