Recombinant Human DES1-3 IGF-1 protein

IGF-1 belonged to the insulin gene family, is a mitogenic polypeptide growth factor that stimulates the proliferation and survival of various cell types including muscle, bone, and cartilage tissue in vitro. DES(1-3)IGF-1, is a truncated variant of human IGF-1 with the tripeptide Gly-Pro-Glu absent from the N-terminus. It has been isolated from bovine colostrum, human brain and porcine uterus. The DES(1-3)IGF-1 probably results from post-translational cleavage of IGF-1. It has about 10-fold more potent than IGF-I at stimulating hypertrophy and proliferation of cultured cells, a consequence of much reduced binding to IGF-binding proteins, in turn caused by the absence of the glutamate at position 3. Clinical opportunities for DES(1-3)IGF-1 have not yet been evaluated, but could apply in catabolic states as well as for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.