Growth, Differentiation, and Survival: Multiple Physiological Functions for
Insulin-Like Growth Factors.
Stewart, Claire E. H., and Peter Rotwein.
Depts. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and of Medicine, Washington
University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri.
APStracts 2:0021P, 1996.
ABSTRACT
The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), IGF-I and IGF-II, comprise a conserved
pair of secreted proteins with diverse effects on growth, development, and
metabolism. Insulin-like growth factor action is initiated upon binding to
cell-surface receptors and is modulated through interactions with secreted IGF
binding proteins (IGFBPs). The last decade has seen an explosion of new
information about the physiological roles of the IGFs. In this review, we
critically examine this information from biochemical, cell biological, and
molecular genetic perspectives. We discuss the structures and functions of the
two IGF receptors, outline the actions of the six IGFBPs, and summarize and
interpret recent studies highlighting essential roles for components of the
IGF system in the growth and development of the embryo and fetus, in tissue
differentiation, in cell survival and proliferation, and in cancer. These
results are discussed in the context of new opportunities for understanding
the mechanisms of IGF action in multiple biological processes.
APS Manuscript Number P17-6.
Article publication pending October 1996, Physiological Reviews.
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 25 July 1996