Also known as: DES(1-3)IGF-1
IGF-1 DES, or des(1-3)IGF-I, is a naturally occurring truncated form of insulin-like growth factor I lacking its first three amino acids. Research consists of older rodent, pig-cell and transgenic-mouse studies, mostly from the 1990s.
Established: des(1-3)IGF-I binds IGF-binding proteins weakly but binds the type I IGF receptor normally [2]. In rat granulosa cells it was about 10-fold more potent than intact IGF-I when binding proteins were present, and roughly equipotent when they were removed, so its higher potency is attributed to escaping binding-protein inhibition [2]. Proposed: the same mechanism is used to explain its greater potency in whole-animal models [1][3].
| Study | Model | Reported result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| IGF-I variants in dexamethasone-exposed rats [1] | Rat Male rats (150 g) given dexamethasone to induce a catabolic state; IGF-I, des(1-3)IGF-I or LR3 IGF-I for 7 days | des(1-3)IGF-I and LR3 IGF-I were about 2.5-fold more potent than IGF-I; gut weight rose by up to 45%. | Peer-reviewed Biochemical Journal 1992 |
| Binding proteins and IGF-I action in granulosa cells [2] | Cell Cultured rat ovarian granulosa cells, FSH-stimulated progesterone output | des(1-3)IGF-I was about 10-fold more potent than intact IGF-I with binding proteins present; roughly equipotent when binding proteins were depleted. | Peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Investigation 1992 |
| Mammary gland development in rats [3] | Rat Hypophysectomized, castrated, estradiol-supplemented immature male rats | Both IGF-I forms induced terminal end bud and alveolar formation; des(1-3)IGF-I was at least 5 times more potent than intact IGF-I. | Peer-reviewed PNAS 1992 |
| IGFBP-3 in porcine muscle cells [4] | Cell Porcine embryonic myogenic cells, serum-free, 24 hours | IGF-I and des(1-3)IGF-I each reduced IGFBP-3 in conditioned media about threefold. | Peer-reviewed Journal of Cellular Physiology 1999 |
| Mammary overexpression in transgenic mice [5] | Mouse Transgenic mice overexpressing des(1-3) human IGF-I in mammary tissue (WAP-DES) vs littermates | Higher mammary weight and lower apoptosis during natural involution; no difference during forced involution, when IRS-1/Akt signaling fell sharply. | Peer-reviewed Endocrinology 2001 |
Human trials are listed for research context only; outcomes are reported in the linked publications. Animal and lab results do not establish effects in humans.
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