Biology of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 and its role in cancer (review).

Abstract

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) is an important member of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system. The IGFBP-4 has three domains of which the N-terminal sequence is important for the binding of IGF. It acts as a transport protein for IGF-I and IGF-II and modulates their biological effects. There is increasing evidence that IGFBP-4 inhibits IGF-induced cellular growth both in vitro and in vivo. IGFBP-4 can also mediate its actions through a mechanism independent of IGFs. IGFBP-4 level and expression in various tissues are influenced by IGFBP protease, nutrition, several growth factors and hormones. Overexpression of IGFBP-4 in transgenic animal models causes reduced growth of organs containing smooth muscle. Most cancers express IGFBP-4 at levels which correlate with their state of differentiation. However, the effects of IGFBP-4 on tumor growth are uncertain. In vitro studies have shown that overexpression of IGFBP-4 inhibit the growth of some colon cancer cells. Overexpression of IGFBP-4 in vivo has been reported to decrease the growth of prostate cancer. The effect of altered expression of IGFBP-4 in vivo in colon and other cancers needs to be explored as locally available IGFs appear to stimulate mitogenesis.

• Authors: Rajaraman Durai, Mark Davies, Wenxuan Yang, Shi Yu Yang, Alexander Seifalian, Geoffrey Goldspink, Marc Winslet
• Journal: International journal of oncology (Int J Oncol) Vol. 28 Issue 6 Pg. 1317-25 (Jun 2006) ISSN: 1019-6439 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 16685432 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Division (drug effects, physiology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Disease Models, Animal
• Humans
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4 (genetics, pharmacology, physiology)
• Male
• Neoplasms (pathology)
• Prostatic Neoplasms (pathology)