The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), IGF-I and IGF-II, comprise a conserved pair of secreted proteins with diverse effects on growth, development, and metabolism. Insulin-like growth factor action is initiated upon binding to cell-surface receptors and is modulated through interactions with secreted IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). The last decade has seen an explosion of new information about the physiological roles of the IGFs. In this review, we critically examine this information from biochemical, cell biological, and molecular genetic perspectives. We discuss the structures and functions of the two IGF receptors, outline the actions of the six IGFBPs, and summarize and interpret recent studies highlighting essential roles for components of the IGF system in the growth and development of the embryo and fetus, in tissue differentiation, in cell survival and proliferation, and in cancer. These results are discussed in the context of new opportunities for understanding the mechanisms of IGF action in multiple biological processes.

中文翻译：

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生长，分化和生存：胰岛素样生长因子的多种生理功能。

胰岛素样生长因子（IGFs）IGF-I和IGF-II包含一对保守的分泌蛋白，对生长，发育和代谢具有多种作用。胰岛素样生长因子的作用是在与细胞表面受体结合后开始的，并通过与分泌的IGF结合蛋白（IGFBP）的相互作用进行调节。在过去的十年中，有关IGF的生理作用的新信息激增。在这篇综述中，我们从生化，细胞生物学和分子遗传学的角度批判性地研究了这些信息。我们讨论了两种IGF受体的结构和功能，概述了六种IGFBP的作用，并总结和解释了最近的研究，这些研究着重指出了IGF系统组成部分在胚胎和胎儿的生长与发育，组织分化，细胞存活和增殖，以及癌症。这些结果是在了解多种生物过程中IGF作用机制的新机会的背景下讨论的。