IGF1

Insulin like growth factor 1(IGF1), also called MGF or IGF-I, is a member of a family of proteins associated with mediating growth and development. It is a 7.6 kDa small peptide that circulates in serum bound to high-affinity binding proteins. The function and structure of IGF1 are similar to insulin. IGF1 is a hormone which acts as the main mediator of growth hormone (GH)-stimulated somatic growth, and a mediator of GH-independent anabolic responses in a variety of cells and tissues.
This protein is synthesized by multiple mesenchymal cell types, and resulting two main mechanisms of IGF1 regulation. First, IGF1 synthesized in the liver and secreted into the blood is under the control of GH. Second, autocrine/paracrine IGF1 synthesized in peripheral tissues, such as bone, is controlled via GH and via factors that are secreted locally by the surrounding cell types. In general, IGF1 functions by activation of the IGF-1 receptor, which is extensively distributed and makes blood-transported IGF-1 to coordinate balanced growth among multiple tissues and organs. However, autocrine/paracrine IGF-1 enables to stimulate local, unbalanced growth independently of systemic GH.
Gene ID: 3479
UniProt ID: P05019