insulin-like growth factor

noun

in·​su·​lin-like growth factor ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən-ˈlīk- How to pronounce insulin-like growth factor (audio)
: either of two polypeptides structurally similar to insulin that are secreted either during fetal development or during childhood and that mediate growth hormone activity

Examples of insulin-like growth factor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Researchers are unsure exactly why dairy causes acne, but some evidence suggests that milk raises insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels, which increases sebum (oil) production. Kathleen Felton, Health, 11 Sep. 2023 Laron syndrome results from a mutation in the gene that codes for growth hormone receptor (GHR), a protein that binds with the human growth hormone and ultimately results in the production of the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), causing cells to grow and divide. Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2011 In 1956 Daughaday discovered the hormone now called insulin-like growth factor 1, or IGF-1. Gary Taubes, Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2013 As animals grow, two proteins play a major role: insulin and insulin-like growth factor (known as IGF). Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2012 Fueling all these promises is a hormone called IGF-1 (short for insulin-like growth factor). Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2013 The injection Dillon Chen from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York found that a naturally occurring protein called IGF-II (or insulin-like growth factor II, in full) will do the trick. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2011 One is called Igfbp2, which inhibits the gene pathway for insulin-like growth factor (IGF)—a hormone that normally aids in brain development. WIRED, 21 Sep. 2022 In an average person, cortisol breaks down about 1 percent of muscle proteins daily, which are then replaced as induced by growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor. Kelly O'Mara, Outside Online, 15 May 2014

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insulin-like growth factor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insulin-like growth factor was in 1976

Dictionary Entries Near insulin-like growth factor

Cite this Entry

“Insulin-like growth factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insulin-like%20growth%20factor. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

insulin-like growth factor

noun
in·​su·​lin-like growth factor ˌin(t)-s(ə-)lən-ˌlīk- How to pronounce insulin-like growth factor (audio)
: either of two polypeptides structurally similar to insulin that are secreted either during fetal development or during childhood and that mediate growth hormone activity
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