The IGF system.
The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays essential role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation and survival and affects nearly every organ system in the body. IGF-I, which has a high structural similarity to insulin, exerts growth-promoting effects, influences glucose metabolism and has neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects, partly because of its cell-proliferative and antiapoptotic properties. Aberrations in the IGF system may associate with various pathological conditions, including cancer. Insulin and its synthetic analogs are known to possess IGF-IR binding affinity, and concern has been raised about their mitogenic potential in humans. The present review summarizes the main aspects of the IGF system biology and the interactions among IGF-I, insulin, insulin analogs and their receptors.
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, Turin, Italy.
Marta
M
Annunziata
Riccarda
R
Granata
Ezio
E
Ghigo
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D008934:Mitogens / Q000378:metabolism; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000378:metabolism*
D007328:Insulin; D008934:Mitogens; D013002:Somatomedins; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1