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 These peptides, in turn, activate the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway in NSCs and triggers their reactivation. New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2024 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

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 31 Oct. 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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