Insulin-like growth factor family and related diseases

Abstract

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family consists of several cellular regulatory factors with multiple biological functions and plays a key role in promoting the development of cells and organs, anti-apoptotic effects, and maintaining the normal functions of many cells of the body. IGF family consists of IGF, IGF-binding protein and IGF receptor. The level of IGF is well regulated by cell surface receptors and IGF-binding proteins. Increasing evidence has revealed that IGF family is involved in the pathological progress of diabetes mellitus and a variety of malignant tumors. Disorder of IGF can cause many diseases, thus IGFs have specific value in disease diagnosis and treatment. This paper reviews IGF family and related diseases. Key words: Somatomedins; Receptors, somatomedin; Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins; Disease