Transcriptional regulation and biological significance of the insulin likegrowth factor II gene

The insulin like growth factors I and II are the most ubiquitous in the mam malian embryo. Moreover they play a pivotal role in the development and gro wth of tumours. The bioavailability of these growth factors is regulated on a transcriptional as well as on a posttranslational level. The expression of non-signalling receptors as well as binding proteins does further tune t he local concentration of IGFs. This paper aims at reviewing how the transc ription of the IGF genes is regulated. The biological significance of these control mechanisms will be discussed.