Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins in Farm Animals - A Review

摘要

Insulin like growth factors (IGFs) I and II are two polypeptidesf isolated originally from the human serum, which play a major role in mammalian growth, regenerative process and mediate many biological effects of growth hormone. The IGFs are genetically controlled by genes and require other vital factors like insulin-like gro wth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) for their action. The IGFs along with binding proteins play a major role in growth and development of the animals. The initial part of the review focuses on the nomenclature of IGFBP super family and their gene structure. The remaining part of the review is devoted to the biological actions of IGFBPs and molecular genetic studies of this protein pertaining to farm animals.