IGFs and insulin are conserved throughout evolution to mediate the effects of nutrition on growth, metabolism and development. As such, IGF and insulin play fundamental roles in normal physiology and in disease states. They modulate diverse aspects of cell function such as proliferation, differentiation, survival and metabolism, in many different physiological systems in the body. Unlike insulin however the bioactivity of IGFs is regulated by a family of six high-affinity binding proteins (IGFBPs) that confer specificity to these pluripotential growth factors. In addition, evidence shows IGF-independent actions of certain of the IGFBPs can directly modulate insulin sensitivity.
This Research Topic will feature experts in the IGF field who will encompass the latest, ground-breaking information regarding key characteristics of the structural biology of the IGF/insulin family and signaling pathways they initiate and regulate, in addition to their roles in normal physiology and disease states such as and not limited to ageing, host microbe interactions, stem cell biology, cancer and metabolic disease. This Research Topic will highlight key discoveries that will indicate that several components of the IGF/insulin-IGFBP system could be explored for therapeutic potential.
IGFs and insulin are conserved throughout evolution to mediate the effects of nutrition on growth, metabolism and development. As such, IGF and insulin play fundamental roles in normal physiology and in disease states. They modulate diverse aspects of cell function such as proliferation, differentiation, survival and metabolism, in many different physiological systems in the body. Unlike insulin however the bioactivity of IGFs is regulated by a family of six high-affinity binding proteins (IGFBPs) that confer specificity to these pluripotential growth factors. In addition, evidence shows IGF-independent actions of certain of the IGFBPs can directly modulate insulin sensitivity.
This Research Topic will feature experts in the IGF field who will encompass the latest, ground-breaking information regarding key characteristics of the structural biology of the IGF/insulin family and signaling pathways they initiate and regulate, in addition to their roles in normal physiology and disease states such as and not limited to ageing, host microbe interactions, stem cell biology, cancer and metabolic disease. This Research Topic will highlight key discoveries that will indicate that several components of the IGF/insulin-IGFBP system could be explored for therapeutic potential.