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

During childhood, hormones—including thyroid hormones, human growth hormone (HGH), and insulin-like growth factor 1—play a major role in healthy growth and development. —Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 2 Jan. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insulin-like growth factor

• acter
• actor
• tractor
• attractor
• cofactor
• compactor
• contactor
• contractor
• distractor
• extractor
• impactor
• protractor

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