IGF1 Human, GST

IGF-1 belongs to the family of insulin-like growth factors and binds to the IGF-1 receptor. This binding activates several signaling pathways, including the PI3K/AKT pathway and the ERK1/2 pathway . These pathways are essential for the differentiation and proliferation of various cell types, including muscle, bone, and cartilage tissues .

Recombinant human IGF-1 (rHuIGF1) is produced using recombinant DNA technology, which involves inserting the gene encoding IGF-1 into a host organism, such as bacteria or yeast, to produce the protein in large quantities. The GST (Glutathione S-Transferase) tag is a fusion protein tag that is added to the recombinant IGF-1 to facilitate its purification and detection. The GST tag binds to glutathione, allowing for easy purification of the recombinant protein using affinity chromatography .

Recombinant IGF-1 has several applications in research and medicine. It is used to study the mechanisms of growth and metabolism, as well as to develop treatments for conditions such as growth failure and insulin resistance. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), recombinant IGF-1 has been shown to improve metabolic control by ameliorating hepatic and muscle insulin resistance . This improvement is achieved by enhancing insulin sensitivity and reducing endogenous glucose production .