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insulin-like growth factor
noun
in·su·lin-like growth factor
ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən-ˈlīk-
: 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
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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 2 Dec. 2024.
Medical Definition
insulin-like growth factor
noun
in·su·lin-like growth factor
ˌin(t)-s(ə-)lən-ˌlīk-
: either of two polypeptides structurally similar to insulin that are secreted either during fetal development or during childhood and that mediate growth hormone activity
especially
: insulin-like growth factor 1
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