Chapter 4 Molecular aspects of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) genes

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the molecular aspects of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) genes. The chapter presents extensive insight has been obtained in the regulatory mechanisms involved in expression of the IGF genes in the last few years. The IGF gene structures have been elucidated for different species and is has become clear that regulation of expression takes place at the transcriptional, as well as the post-transcriptional level. With the identification of a number of tissue-enriched transcription factors, the first steps have been made towards a better understanding of the tissue-specific and developmental stage dependent expression patterns of IGF-I and -II. Such studies will yield more insight into the regulation of expression of locally synthesized IGFs in different developmental stages, and will contribute to a better understanding of the roles of IGFs in cell proliferation and differentiation during the development from embryo to adult organism.