Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026

Precise Visualization of Insulin Receptors A and B in Murine Brain with an RNA In Situ Hybridization Assay
Published on: July 15, 2025
Interaction of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 with α2-macroglobulin in the circulation
Miloš Šunderić1, Goran Miljuš, Olgica Nedić
1Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, INEP, University of Belgrade, Banatska 31b, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia. milos@inep.co.rs
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.
Related Concept Videos
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways
Drug Binding to Blood Components
HSA is the most abundant plasma protein and is vital in drug binding. It contains distinct drug-binding sites, with different drugs exhibiting affinity for specific sites. There are three main drug-binding domains for HSA: sites I, II, and III. These domains are further...
Factors Affecting Protein-Drug Binding: Protein-Related Factors
The physicochemical properties of a drug play a significant role in its ability to bind to proteins. Lipophilic drugs, which dissolve in fats, oils, and lipids, can be bound by...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Insulin Secretory Vesicles
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
