Interaction of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 with α2-macroglobulin in the circulation

Protein J. 2013 Feb;32(2):138-42. doi: 10.1007/s10930-013-9471-8.

Abstract

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) play active role in mitogenic and metabolic processes. In the peripheral circulation, they are mostly bound to specific IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). Proteolysis of IGFBPs releases free, active IGFs. IGFBP-2 is the second most abundant of the six binding proteins and its concentration increases in catabolic states. The possible interaction between IGFBP-2 and other proteins in the circulation was investigated in this study. Our results showed that IGFBP-2 associates with α2-macroglobulin (α2M), a protease inhibitor. Formation of IGFBP-2/α2M complexes most likely contributes to the regulation of IGFBP-2 proteolysis and, thus, the activity of IGFs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 / blood
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • alpha-Macroglobulins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2
  • alpha-Macroglobulins