Insulin-like Growth Factor System and Aging

Abstract

IGF (insulin-like growth factor, IGF) system is composed of three ligands (insulin, IGF-1, IGF-2), three cell surface binding receptors (Ins R, IGF-1R, IGF-2 R), and Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGF binding proteins, IGFBPs) and IGFBP protease. Delaying aging and exploring the molecular mechanism of aging have always been important research topics. IGF system plays an important role in the life processes by binding with the receptor or activating multiple intracellular signaling cascades. The researches have showed IGF system plays an important role in regulating signal pathways about senescence and aging related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and vertebral aging.