Insulin-like growth factor

Pronunciation

Definition 1

A protein made by the body that stimulates the growth of many types of cells. Insulin-like growth factor is similar to insulin (a hormone made in the pancreas). There are two forms of insulin-like growth factor called IGF-1 and IGF-2. Higher than normal levels of IGF-1 may increase the risk of several types of cancer. Insulin-like growth factor is a type of growth factor and a type of cytokine. Also called IGF and somatomedin. (NCI Dictionary)

Definition 2

Bound to IGFBPs in the circulation, Insulin-Like Growth Factors (IGFs, Somatomedins) are a family of extracellular signaling peptides (potential autocrine ligands) involved in mediation of growth hormone action, stimulation of insulin action, and growth and development. The three main somatomedins are Somatomedin C (IGF1), Somatomedin A (IGF2), and Somatomedin B. Single chain IGFs I and II share about 47% amino acid homology with insulin (INS) and 31% with relaxin. (NCI Thesaurus)

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