INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR (IGF) AND THE IGF SYSTEM
The IGF system is comprised of the IGF ligands (IGF-I and IGF-II), cell-surface receptors that mediate the biological effects of the IGFs, including the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), the IGF-II receptor (IGF-IIR), and the insulin receptor (IR), as well as a family of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). IGFBPs affect the half-lives and bioavailability of the IGFs in the circulation, in extracellular fluids, and may exert IGF-independent effects under certain conditions.
1- IGF
Insulin-like growth factors I (IGF-I) and II (IGF-II), also known as somatomedin C and somatomedin A, respectively, are members of the insulin family of polypeptide growth factors.
IGF-I
Human IGF-I is a single chain 70-amino acid polypeptide cross-linked by 3 disulfide bridges, with a calculated molecular mass of 7.6 kD. The IGF1 protein displays homology to proinsulin.
The IGF-I structural gene maps locus 12q22-q24.1.The IGF-I coding region is flanked by sequences encoding an amino-terminal peptide of at least 25 residues and a carboxyl-terminal peptide of 35 amino acids. The findings provided evidence that IGF-I is synthesized as a precursor protein that undergoes proteolytic processing at both ends
IGF-II
Using a sequence that is identical in human IGF-I and IGF-II as probe, IGF-II was cloned from an adult liver cDNA library. The deduced 180-amino acid prepro-IGF2 protein contains an N-terminal signal sequence followed by the mature peptide and a C-terminal extension called the E domain. Both the signal sequence and E domains are proteolytically removed to generate the mature 67-amino acid peptide. The putative 180-amino acid IGF-II precursor starting at met-24 has a calculated molecular mass of 20.1 kD. The IGF-II structural gene maps locus 11p15.5.
2- INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR (IGFR)
DEFINITION
The receptor for IGF-I and -II is a member of the tyrosine kinase growth factor receptor family.
Two alpha subunits and two beta subunits make up the IGF-I receptor. Both the α and β subunits are synthesized from a single mRNA precursor. The precursor is then glycosylated, proteolytically cleaved, and crosslinked by cysteine bonds to form a functional transmembrane αβ chain. The α chains are located extracellularly while the β subunit spans the membrane and are responsible for intracellular signal transduction upon ligand stimulation. The mature IGF-IR has a molecular weight of approximately 320 kDa.
CELLULAR FUNCTIONS
Activation of this receptor and its intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity initiates a signaling cascade that involves multiple intracellular signaling pathways, such as the phosphatidylinositol3-kinase and MAPK pathways, that are responsible for the diverse target actions of these growth factors, which include increases in cell division, cell size, protein synthesis, cell migration, and inhibition of apoptosis . Many of the signaling elements that are downstream from tyrosine kinase activation have been characterized, but several of the molecular events that occur before or concomitantly with kinase activation and whether these early events can influence the ultimate outcome of IGF-I-stimulated signal transduction have not been determined.
3- IGF PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
The IGF system involves complex regulatory networks that operate at the whole organism, cellular and subcellular levels. IGF1 has characteristics of both a circulating hormone
and a tissue growth factor. Most IGF1 found in the circulation is produced by the liver. Regulation of hepatic IGF1 production is complex. Growth Hormone has a dominant role in upregulating IGF1 gene expression, but its stimulatory influence is markedly reduced by malnutrition. GH, in turn, is produced by the pituitary gland under the regulation of the hypothalamic factors somatostatin and growthhormone-releasing hormone. Initially, it was supposed that virtually all IGF1 originated in the liver and was transported by endocrine mechanisms to sites
of action, but it is now recognized that IGF1 is also synthesized in other organs where autocrine or paracrine mechanisms of action are important.
The IGF system plays an important role in normal growth and development as well as in a variety of pathological situations, particularly tumorigenesis . IGF action is also important in the development of specific organs, such as in the nervous system, in which IGF signaling regulates neuronal proliferation, apoptosis, and cell survival.
IGF action plays a critical role in the development and progression of human cancer. A growing body of epidemiological data suggests that high levels of circulating IGF-I constitute a risk factor for the development of breast, prostate, colon, and lung cancer. In addition, the expression levels of the IGF-IR and IR are predictive of breast cancer outcome. Experimentally, modulation of IGF-IR activity affects the growth of many types of tumor cells.
4- INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR 1 RECEPTOR TARGETING: THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES
Approaches that will soon be tested clinically following demonstration of antineoplastic activity in laboratory studies include the use of blocking antibodies directed against the extracellular portion of the receptor and small-molecule tyrosinekinase inhibitors with specificity for IGF1R
5- CELLULAR ACTION OF THE INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR BINDING PROTEINS (IGFBPs)
In addition to their roles in IGF transport, the six IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) regulate cell activity in various ways. By sequestering IGFs away from the type I IGF receptor, they may inhibit mitogenesis, differentiation, survival, and other IGF-stimulated events. IGFBP proteolysis can reverse this inhibition or generate IGFBP fragments with novel bioactivity.
Alternatively, IGFBP interaction with cell or matrix components may concentrate IGFs near their receptor, enhancing IGF activity. IGF receptor-independent IGFBP actions are also increasingly recognized. IGFBP-1 interacts with integrin, influencing cell adhesion and migration. IGFBP-2, -3,-5, and -6 have heparin-binding domains and can bind glycosaminoglycans.
IGFBP-3 and -5 have carboxyl-terminal basic motifs incorporating heparin-binding and additional basic residues that interact with the cell surface and matrix, the nuclear transporter importin, and other proteins. Serine/threonine kinase receptors are proposed for IGFBP-3 and -5,but their signaling functions are poorly understood. Other cell surface IGFBP-interacting proteins are uncharacterized as functional receptors. However, IGFBP-3 binds and modulates the retinoid X receptor, interacts with TGF signaling
through Smad proteins, and influences other signaling pathways.
These interactions can modulate cell cycle and apoptosis. Because IGFBPs regulate cell functions by diverse mechanisms, manipulation of IGFBP-regulated pathways is speculated to offer therapeutic opportunities in cancer and other diseases.
anti-depressive action
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