The IGF1 Signaling Pathway: From Basic Concepts to Therapeutic Opportunities

Haim Werner*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is a peptide growth factor with important functions in multiple aspects of growth, development and metabolism. The biological actions of IGF1 are mediated by the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R), a cell-surface protein that is evolutionarily related to the insulin receptor (InsR). The effects of IGF1 are moderated by a group of binding proteins (IGFBPs) that bind and transport the ligand in the circulation and extracellular fluids. In mechanistic terms, IGF1R function is linked to the MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways. Furthermore, IGF1R has been shown to migrate to cell nucleus, where it functions as a transcriptional activator. The co-localization of IGF1R and MAPK in the nucleus is of major interest as it suggests novel mechanistic paradigms for the IGF1R-MAPK network. Given its potent anti-apoptotic and pro-survival roles, and in view of its almost universal pattern of expression in most types of cancer, IGF1R has emerged as a promising molecular target in oncology. The present review article provides a concise overview of key scientific developments in the research area of IGF and highlights a number of more recent findings, including its nuclear migration and its interaction with oncogenes and tumor suppressors.

Original languageEnglish
Article number14882
JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume24
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2023

Keywords

  • IGF1 receptor
  • MAPK
  • insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1)
  • nuclear translocation
  • p53

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The IGF1 Signaling Pathway: From Basic Concepts to Therapeutic Opportunities'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this