Editing Insulin-like growth factor (section)

{{short description|Proteins similar to insulin that stimulate cell proliferation}}
[[Image:3GF1 Insulin-Like Growth Factor Nmr 10 01.png|thumb|3GF1 insulin-like growth factor{{brk}}macromolecular structure]]

The '''insulin-like growth factors''' ('''IGFs''') are [[protein]]s with high [[Homology (biology)|sequence similarity]] to [[insulin]]. IGFs are part of a [[complex system]] that cells use to communicate with their [[physiology|physiologic]] environment. This complex system (often referred to as the IGF "axis") consists of two [[cell-surface receptor]]s ([[Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor|IGF1R]] and [[Insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor|IGF2R]]), two [[ligand (biochemistry)|ligand]]s ([[Insulin-like growth factor 1|IGF-1]] and [[Insulin-like growth factor 2|IGF-2]]), a family of seven high-affinity [[Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein|IGF-binding proteins]] ([[IGFBP1]] to [[IGFBP7]]), as well as associated [[Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein|IGFBP]] degrading [[enzyme]]s, referred to collectively as [[protease]]s.