IGF1 polyclonal antibody

Insulin-like growth factor I, or IGF-I, is a ubiquitous peptide that acts in both an autocrine and paracrine fashion to stimulate the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells. In addition, IGF-I regulates renal function, growth and repair, is critically involved in bone formation and resorption and has been implicated in mediating aspects of the immune response. IGF function is modulated by at least six circulating IGF-binding proteins, designated IGFBP1-6, which associate with the soluble growth factor. While the function of IGF-II is less well understood, overexpression of the protein in mice suggests that IGF-II may play a regulatory role in insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake. Both IGF-I and IGF-II exert their biological effects through a common receptor, designated IGF-IR. Like the insulin receptor, IGF-IR is composed of two extracellular a chains and two signal transducing b chains cross-linked by disulfide bonds.