Insulin-like growth factor

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF), also known as somatomedin, is a protein that has a similar molecular structure to insulin. It plays an important role in childhood growth and continues to have anabolic effects in adults.

Function

IGF is produced by the liver as an endocrine hormone as well as by target tissues in a paracrine/autocrine fashion. Production is stimulated by growth hormone (GH) and can be retarded by undernutrition, growth hormone insensitivity, lack of growth hormone receptors, or failures of the downstream signaling pathway post GH receptor including SHP2 and STAT5B.

Types

There are two types of IGF, namely IGF-1 and IGF-2. IGF-1 is primarily responsible for the long bone growth in children and it also affects muscle growth and repair of adults. IGF-2 is a major fetal growth factor.

Role in disease

IGF is implicated in several diseases. It is suspected to play a role in cancer, as it can lead to increased proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis. It also can increase the production of angiogenesis factors and metastasis.

See also

• Insulin
• Growth hormone
• Diabetes mellitus
• Cancer

External links

• Insulin-like growth factor at PubMed Health

Insulin-like growth factor Resources
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