Description
IGF-2 (Insulin-like Growth Factor-2)
IGF-2 just like most polypeptide growth factors in the insulin family plays a crucial role in growth and development. Expressed only as paternally inherited allele, IGF-2 is a candidate gene for eating disorders.
Insulin-like growth factor II goes by many names; Somatomedin-A, IGF-II, and IGF2. Like relaxin and insulin, the IGFs belong to the insulin family. They represent a group of structurally related polypeptide with varying degree of biological functions. The IGFs are a vital part of pre-adolescent mammalian growth.
IGF2 are potent mitogens for cultured cells. IGF-II expression is done by placenta lactogen in of course of prenatal development. The importance of IGF-II is observed in fetal development. Several variations of IGF-II is commonly associated with BMI (Body Mass Index). Of all the characterized growth factors, IGF2 is the most intricately regulated. IGF-Binding proteins and differential expression of receptors control the activities of IGF2.
