Presently, there are no consistently reliable methods to knock-out specific genes in PE859 Chlamydomonas although new methods are being developed. While bioinformatics as well as functional complementation gives insight into the function of a gene and its corresponding proteins, knockout experiments in the future will allow for a more complete characterization of the gene, as a targeted mutation of the gene we have annotated as ERG3 would allow confirmation of the C-5 TBB sterol desaturase activity observed by complementation in yeast. Elucidation of the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway in C. reinhardtii is of considerable interest and importance, as plant and algal sterols are used as dietary supplements, and as components of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. For example, experimental evidence has shown that uptake of plant sterols can help to reduce cholesterol levels in humans. The similarity of the C. reinhardtii ERG3 gene with that of higher plants indicates that the Chlamydomonas system may provide an excellent model system in which to study plant sterol biosynthesis. Better understanding of this pathway will lead to the development of genetically modified strains in Chlamydomonas that may allow for overproduction of specific ergosterol precursors. Glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide are incretin hormones that function primarily to enhance glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Their functional impairment is an early characteristic of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pharmacological levels of longacting GLP-1 receptor agonists can overcome this impairment, and as a result, GLP-1R agonists are currently used clinically to treat T2DM. In contrast, even at supraphysiological concentrations, GIP does not increase insulin secretion in patients with T2DM. GLP-1R and GIPR are closely related members of the secretin family of G protein coupled receptors and positively couple to G proteins, resulting in an increase in intracellular cyclic 39-59-cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels.The actions of GLP1 and GIP are not limited to pancreatic b-cells, and both peptides have numerous pleiotropic effects.