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The Insulin-like growth factor binding protein also known as IGFBP serves as a carrier protein for Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).[1]
[edit] FunctionApproximately 98% of IGF-1 is always bound to one of 6 binding proteins (IGF-BP). IGFBP-3, the most abundant protein, accounts for 80% of all IGF binding. IGF-1 binds to IGFBP-3 in a 1:1 molar ratio. IGF-BP also binds to IGF-1 inside the liver, allowing growth hormone to continuously act upon the liver to produce more IGF-1. This is important because proliferating IGF-1 + IGF-BP complex allow growth of the femur and the muscle. IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) are 24 to 45 kDa proteins. All six IGFBPs share 50% homology with each other and have binding affinities for IGF-I and IGF-II at the same order of magnitude as the ligands have for the IGF-IR.[2] The IGFBPs help to lengthen the half-life of circulating IGFs in all tissues, including the prostate.[3] Individual IGFBPs may act to enhance or attenuate IGF signaling depending on their physiological context (i.e. cell type). Even with these similarities, some characteristics are different: chromosomal location, heparin binding domains, RGD recognition site, preference for binding IGF-I or IGF-II, and glycoslyation and phophorylation differences.[4] These structural differences can have a tremendous impact on how the IGFBPs interact with cellular basement membranes. [edit] Family membersIn humans, IGFBPs are transcribed from the following seven genes: [edit] References
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