Skip to main content
Log in

Structure and function of the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor

  • Published:
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences CMLS Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract.

The type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R), a transmembrane tyrosine kinase, is widely expressed across many cell types in foetal and postnatal tissues. Activation of the receptor following binding of the secreted growth factor ligands IGF-1 and IGF-2 elicits a repertoire of cellular responses including proliferation, and the protection of cells from programmed cell death or apoptosis. As a result, signalling through the IGF-1R is the principal pathway responsible for somatic growth in foetal mammals, whereas somatic growth in postnatal animals is achieved through the synergistic interaction of growth hormone and the IGFs. Forced overexpression of the IGF-1R results in the malignant transformation of cultured cells; conversely, downregulation of IGF-1R levels can reverse the transformed phenotype of tumour cells, and may render them sensitive to apoptosis in vivo. Elevated levels of IGF-1R are observed in a variety of human tumour types, whereas epidemiological studies implicate the IGF-1 axis as a predisposing factor in the pathogenesis of human breast and prostate cancer. The IGF-1R has thus emerged as a therapeutic target for the development of antitumour agents. Recent progress towards the elucidation of the three-dimensional structure of the extracellular domain of the IGF-1R represents an opportunity for the rational assembly of small molecule antagonists of receptor function for clinical use.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Received 31 January 2000; received after revision 20 March 2000; accepted 22 March 2000

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Adams, T., Epa, V., Garrett, T. et al. Structure and function of the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor . CMLS, Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 57, 1050–1093 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00000744

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00000744

Navigation