Description
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), also known as somatomedin C, is a polypeptide protein hormone similar in molecular structure to insulin. It plays an important role in childhood growth and continues to have anabolic effects in adults. Human IGF-1 is a single chain 70-amino acid polypeptide cross-linked by 3 disulfide bridges, with a calculated molecular mass of 7.6 kD. The IGF-1 gene, mapped on 12q22-q24.1, contains 5 exons. Exons 1-4 encode the 195-amino acid precursor (IGF-1B), and exons 1, 2, 3, and 5 encode the 153-residue peptide (IGF-1A). The structure of IGF-1 resembles that of IGF-2. And the IGF-1 and IGF-2 genes have complex structures with multiple promoters. The expression of both genes is regulated at the levels of transcription, RNA processing, and translation. IGF-1 is produced primarily by the liver as an endocrine hormone as well as in target tissues in a paracrine/autocrine fashion. Moreover, approximately 98% of IGF-1 is always bound to one of six binding proteins (IGF-BP). Furthermore, IGF-1 is one of the most potent natural activators of the AKT signaling pathway, a stimulator of cell growth and multiplication and a potent inhibitor of programmed cell death. ScienCell's rat IGF-1 ELISA Kit is based on standard sandwich enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay technology. Rat IGF-1-specific monoclonal antibodies are pre-coated onto 8 x 12 divisible strips. The rat specific detection polyclonal antibodies are biotinylated. The test samples and biotinylated detection antibodies are subsequently added to the wells and then washed with PBS or TBS buffer. Avidin-Biotin-Peroxidase Complex is added, and unbound conjugates are washed away with PBS or TBS buffer. HRP substrate TMB is used to visualize HRP enzymatic reaction. TMB is catalyzed by HRP to produce a blue color product that changed into yellow after adding acidic stop solution. The intensity of yellow is proportional to the amount of rat IGF-1 captured in strips