Somatomedin (insulin-like growth factors)-binding proteins. Molecular forms and regulation.

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding proteins present in the human serum and various biological media have been characterized by several methods: gel filtration, sucrose gradient sedimentation, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and chromatofocusing. Several forms have been identified with molecular weights of approximately 42,000, 39,000, 34,000, 30,000 and 24,000 daltons. Results of competitive binding studies suggest that the different forms of binding proteins have different affinities for IGF-I and IGF-II. The influence of various hormones and pathophysiological conditions on the biosynthesis of the binding proteins has been investigated.