IGFR

IGFR or Insulin-like Growth Factor Receptor is a type of protein that is found on the surface of many types of cells. It is part of a group of proteins known as receptor tyrosine kinases.

Function

The IGFR plays a crucial role in the growth and development of cells. It does this by binding to insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), which are proteins that are similar to insulin. When an IGF binds to an IGFR, it activates the receptor, which then triggers a series of chemical reactions inside the cell. These reactions can lead to cell growth, cell division, and the survival of cells.

Role in Disease

Abnormalities in the IGFR can lead to a variety of diseases. For example, overactivity of the IGFR has been linked to several types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. In these cases, the overactive IGFR can cause cells to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way, leading to the formation of a tumor.

On the other hand, underactivity of the IGFR can lead to growth disorders. For example, people with Laron syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, have a mutation in their IGFR that prevents it from functioning properly. This leads to short stature and other growth problems.

Treatment

Because of its role in disease, the IGFR is a target for many drugs. For example, some drugs used to treat cancer work by blocking the activity of the IGFR. These drugs, known as IGFR inhibitors, can help to slow the growth of tumors.

See Also

• Insulin
• Insulin-like growth factors
• Receptor tyrosine kinases
• Cancer
• Laron syndrome

References

IGFR Resources
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