IGF-1, Insulin-like Growth factor-1, human
The IGFs are similar by structure and function to insulin, but have a much higher growth-promoting activity than insulin.
The IGFs are mitogenic polypeptide growth factors that stimulate the proliferation and survival of various cell types including muscle, bone, and cartilage tissue in vitro.
Proteolytic processing of inactive precursor proteins, which contain N-terminal and C-terminal propeptide regions, generates mature IGFs. Recombinant human IGF-I and IGF-II are globular proteins containing 70 and 67 amino acids, respectively, and 3 intra-molecular disulfide bonds.
The IGFs belong to the Insulin gene family, which also contains insulin and relaxin.
The liver predominantly produces iGFs, although a variety of tissues produce the IGFs at distinctive times. IGF-II expression is influenced by placenta lactogen, while IGF-I expression is regulated by growth hormone. Both IGF-I and IGF-II signal through the tyrosine kinase type I receptor (IGF-IR), but, IGF-II can also signal through the IGF-II/Mannose-6-phosphate receptor.
