IGF I, also known as Mechano Growth Factor, somatomedin-C, IGF-I, and IGF1, is a secreted protein that belongs to the insulin family. The insulin family, comprised of insulin, relaxin, insulin-like growth factors I and II ( IGF-I and IGF-II ), and possibly the beta-subunit of 7S nerve growth factor, represents a group of structurally related polypeptides whose biological functions have diverged. The IGFs, or somatomedins, constitute a class of polypeptides that have a key role in pre-adolescent mammalian growth. IGF-I expression is regulated by GH and mediates postnatal growth, while IGF-II appears to be induced by placental lactogen during prenatal development. IGF1 / IGF-I may be a physiological regulator of [1-14C]-2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) transport and glycogen synthesis in osteoblasts. IGF1 / IGF-I stimulates glucose transport in rat bone-derived osteoblastic (PyMS) cells and is effective at much lower concentrations than insulin, not only regarding glycogen and DNA synthesis but also about enhancing glucose uptake. Defects in IGF1 / IGF-I are the cause of insulin-like growth factor I deficiency (IGF1 deficiency) which is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by growth retardation, sensorineural deafness, and mental retardation.

> 95 % as determined by SDS-PAGE