Insulin-like growth factor

Function

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) are proteins with high sequence similarity to insulin. IGF are ligands in a complex called the IGF axis, which contains 2 IGF receptors, 6 IGF-binding proteins and IGF-binding protein degrading enzyme^[1].

• IGF I is secreted in the liver after stimulation by growth hormone.
  
• IGF II is required in early development stages.

Relevance

Inhibition of IGF I influences colon cancer^[2]. IGF I has protective effect in neuropathy^[3].