IGF-1
IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1, also known as IGF-I, IGFI, IGF1A and IGF) is a secreted member of the insulin family that promotes growth far more strongly than insulin itself. It signals chiefly through the IGF1R receptor tyrosine kinase. Browse Assay Genie's current range of IGF-1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
IGF-1 is a growth factor that is structurally and functionally related to insulin but has a much higher growth-promoting activity. It acts as a ligand for IGF1R. Binding to the alpha subunit of IGF1R activates the intrinsic tyrosine kinase, which autophosphorylates tyrosine residues in the beta subunit and starts downstream signalling through the PI3K-AKT/PKB and Ras-MAPK pathways. IGF-1 induces phosphorylation and activation of IGF1R, ERK1 (MAPK3), ERK2 (MAPK1) and AKT1. It also binds the integrins ITGAV:ITGB3 and ITGA6:ITGB4, and formation of a ternary complex with these integrins and IGF1R is essential for IGF-1 signalling.
The functions described for IGF-1 are broad. In osteoblasts it may be a physiological regulator of glucose transport and glycogen synthesis, and in bone-derived osteoblastic PyMS cells it stimulates glucose uptake at much lower concentrations than insulin, including effects on glycogen and DNA synthesis. It may play a role in synapse maturation, and Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis of IGF-1 is required for the sense of smell in the olfactory bulb. Within the MAPK/ERK pathway it acts as a negative regulator of apoptosis in cardiomyocytes by promoting STUB1/CHIP-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of ICER-type isoforms of CREM.
The IGF1 gene encodes a precursor that is processed, bound by its specific receptor and secreted. Alternative splicing gives multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms, which may undergo similar processing to produce the mature protein. IGF-1 was formerly named somatomedin C, and defects in the gene are a cause of insulin-like growth factor I deficiency. The gene sits in the HGNC groups for neuropeptides and the insulin family.
IGF-1 belongs to a family of proteins that mediate growth and development, with growth-promoting activity much greater than that of insulin.
IGF-1 activates IGF1R and the PI3K-AKT and Ras-MAPK cascades, making it a reference ligand for studying these pathways.
IGF-1 may regulate glucose transport and glycogen synthesis in osteoblasts and enhances glucose uptake at low concentrations.
IGF-1 may contribute to synapse maturation and olfactory perception, and restrains apoptosis in cardiomyocytes through ERK signalling.
IGF-1 is a secreted growth factor that binds the alpha subunit of IGF1R, activating its tyrosine kinase and downstream PI3K-AKT and Ras-MAPK signalling. It promotes growth, influences glucose uptake in osteoblasts, and may contribute to synapse maturation and olfactory perception.
The HGNC symbol is IGF1, and aliases include IGF-I, IGFI, IGF1A and IGF. The earlier name was insulin-like growth factor 1 (somatomedin C). The gene can produce several transcript variants through alternative splicing, encoding different isoforms.
Mouse and rat both have an Igf1 ortholog; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity. In humans, defects in the IGF1 gene are a cause of insulin-like growth factor I deficiency.
Other insulin-like growth factors, IGF-binding proteins and related IGF pathway components with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P05019; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.