Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1)
Quick Facts
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 |
| Abbreviation | IGF-1 |
| Alternative Name | Somatomedin C |
| Molecule Type | Recombinant Growth Factor |
| Family | Insulin Growth Factor Family |
| Molecular Weight | ~7.6 kDa |
| Primary Receptor | IGF-1 Receptor (IGF-1R) |
| Typical Working Concentration | 10-100 ng/mL |
| Common Stock Concentration | 10-100 μg/mL |
Overview
Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) is a multifunctional peptide growth factor that regulates cell proliferation, survival, metabolism, and differentiation. Structurally similar to insulin, IGF-1 plays a central role in normal growth and development while promoting the survival of numerous mammalian cell types in vitro.
In cell culture, IGF-1 is widely used to enhance stem cell maintenance, neuronal survival, skeletal muscle differentiation, cartilage biology, and organoid development. It is also incorporated into many serum-free and chemically defined culture systems.
Biological Function
IGF-1 regulates numerous cellular processes, including:
- Promotes cell proliferation
- Enhances cell survival
- Inhibits apoptosis
- Stimulates protein synthesis
- Supports cellular metabolism
- Promotes differentiation of selected cell types
- Facilitates tissue growth and regeneration
Mechanism of Action
IGF-1 binds primarily to the IGF-1 Receptor (IGF-1R), a receptor tyrosine kinase expressed by many mammalian cells.
Ligand binding induces receptor dimerization and autophosphorylation, activating several intracellular signaling pathways, including:
- PI3K-AKT pathway
- MAPK/ERK pathway
- mTOR pathway
- IRS signaling pathway
These pathways regulate proliferation, protein synthesis, metabolism, survival, and differentiation.
Common Applications
IGF-1 is widely used for:
- Stem cell culture
- Skeletal muscle differentiation
- Chondrocyte culture
- Neuronal culture
- Organoid culture
- Regenerative medicine
- Serum-free media
- Tissue engineering
- Cancer biology
Cell Types Commonly Supplemented with IGF-1
| Cell Type | Typical Application |
|---|---|
| Human iPSCs | Survival and differentiation |
| Human ESCs | Defined culture systems |
| Mesenchymal Stem Cells | Expansion |
| Neural Stem Cells | Survival and maturation |
| Primary Neurons | Neuroprotection |
| Skeletal Muscle Cells | Myogenic differentiation |
| Chondrocytes | Cartilage research |
| Brain Organoids | Neuronal maturation |
IGF-1 supplementation should be optimized according to the target cell type and experimental protocol.
Typical Working Concentrations
| Application | Typical Concentration |
|---|---|
| Stem Cell Culture | 10-20 ng/mL |
| Neuronal Culture | 10-50 ng/mL |
| Skeletal Muscle Differentiation | 25-100 ng/mL |
| Organoid Culture | 20-100 ng/mL |
Advantages
- Potent survival factor
- Reduces apoptosis in sensitive cultures
- Supports stem cell maintenance
- Promotes protein synthesis and growth
- Enhances differentiation in selected protocols
- Widely used in serum-free media formulations
Limitations
- Activity depends on IGF-1R expression
- Sensitive to repeated freeze-thaw cycles
- Relatively expensive
- May stimulate proliferation of unwanted cell populations
- Frequently used in combination with additional growth factors
Related Growth Factors
Frequently combined with:
- Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF-2)
- Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
- Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
- Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF)
- Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β)
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
- Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF)
See Also
- Growth Factor Handling and Storage Guide
- Stem Cell Culture
- Neuronal Culture
- Skeletal Muscle Differentiation
- Serum-Free Cell Culture
- IGF-1 Signaling
Key Takeaways
- IGF-1 is a multifunctional growth factor that promotes cell survival, proliferation, metabolism, and differentiation.
- It primarily signals through IGF-1R, activating PI3K-AKT, MAPK/ERK, mTOR, and IRS signaling pathways.
- IGF-1 is widely used in stem cell, neuronal, muscle, cartilage, and organoid culture systems.
- It is an important component of many serum-free and chemically defined media formulations.
- Typical working concentrations range from 10-100 ng/mL, depending on the application.
References
- LeRoith D, Bondy C, Yakar S, Liu JL, Butler A. Endocrine Reviews (2001).
- Jones JI, Clemmons DR. Endocrine Reviews (1995).
- Freshney RI. Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique and Specialized Applications.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific. Recombinant Human IGF-1 Product Information.
- PeproTech. Recombinant Human IGF-1 Product Datasheet.