About IGF-2
Binds IGF-1R and insulin receptor variant A; promotes anabolic signaling in muscle and fat; activates PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway; different receptor binding profile than IGF-1
Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) is a naturally occurring peptide growth factor structurally homologous to IGF-1 that plays a central role in embryonic development and remains expressed in adult skeletal muscle, where it functions as an autocrine regulator of myoblast differentiation and myocyte maturation downstream of MyoD activation. IGF-2 binds both the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), which mediates PI3K/Akt anabolic signaling, and the mannose-6-phosphate/IGF-2 receptor (M6P/IGF-2R), which targets bound ligand for lysosomal degradation rather than intracellular signal transduction; the balance between these receptor populations influences net downstream anabolic signaling. Preclinical and cell biology research demonstrates that autocrine IGF-2 signaling through IGF-1R is required for normal myocyte maturation, and that TGF-β-mediated suppression of IGF-2 autocrine pathways impairs skeletal muscle differentiation, establishing IGF-2 as a functionally important endogenous anabolic signal in muscle regeneration. IGF-2 has no FDA-approved applications in performance enhancement or muscle anabolism; exogenous administration as a research compound is investigational and no human clinical trials have established safety or efficacy for these uses.
IGF-2 Benefits & Research Areas
Research Signals
Commonly researched in the context of
Population research notes
These signals reflect research interest areas, not treatment indications.
Regulatory & Evidence
Risk Profile
Moderate risk profile in research contexts. Review contraindications and administration guidelines before use.
Regulatory Status
- Availability Status
- Research Only
- FDA Status
- Not Evaluated
Endogenous growth factor. No FDA-approved exogenous IGF-2 drug product. No NDA or IND for IGF-2 as primary active ingredient. Research use only.
Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
Research Sources
7 sources cited · 6 moderate · 1 weak
3 Cohorts · 1 Case series · 1 Review · 2 In vitros
An engineered insulin analog with dual insulin and IGF-1 receptor agonism and distinct signaling.
Sci Adv · 2026
# Summary Research found that scientists engineered a modified insulin analog (1Ins) capable of binding to both insulin and IGF-1 receptors with high affinity, achieving approximately 1000-fold stronger IGF-1 receptor binding than native insulin. This study demonstrated that the engineered analog activates signaling pathways from both receptors simultaneously, providing neuroprotective effects in neuronal cells and effective glucose regulation in animal models.
Proteomics and ex vivo plaque culture identify the insulin-like growth factor axis as a potential regulator of matrix remodelling in carotid plaques.
Atherosclerosis · 2026
# Summary Research found that the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling axis, particularly involving IGF-1, IGF-2, and their associated binding proteins, may play a regulatory role in atherosclerotic plaque stability by modulating matrix remodeling proteins. This study demonstrated through proteomics analysis and ex vivo culture that IGF-1 signaling was associated with a more stable plaque phenotype, characterized by decreased matrix-degrading enzymes and increased structural collagen.
The IGF signaling axis in thyroid cancer: biological complexity and therapeutic challenges.
Endocr Connect · 2026
# Summary Research found that dysregulation of the IGF signaling axis, particularly involving IGF-2 and its receptor (IGF-1R), plays an important role in thyroid cancer progression, dedifferentiation, and resistance to radioiodine treatment. This study demonstrated that an IGF-2/IR-A-dominant autocrine circuit is associated with aggressive and treatment-refractory thyroid cancer, though clinical translation of IGF-axis targeting has been limited due to signaling redundancy and adaptive resistance, necessitating combination therapeutic approaches.
Show 4 more sources ↓
Combined Toxicity of Polyamide Microplastics and Fenitrothion Impairs Growth, Intestinal Integrity, and GH-IGF Axis in Nile Tilapia.
Environ Toxicol · 2026
# Summary Research found that combined exposure to polyamide microplastics and fenitrothion pesticide in Nile tilapia caused substantial downregulation of igf-2 gene expression, alongside impaired growth and intestinal damage. This study demonstrated that the coexposure effects on the growth hormone-IGF axis exceeded the adverse effects of either contaminant alone, indicating coordinated suppression of growth-regulating genes.
TGF-β inhibits muscle differentiation by blocking autocrine signaling pathways initiated by IGF-II
Molecular Endocrinology · 2011
Research in mouse and human primary myoblast cultures found that TGF-beta inhibited skeletal muscle differentiation primarily by suppressing IGF-II autocrine signaling, and that exogenous IGF-I or IGF-II restored muscle protein expression and myotube formation despite TGF-beta, identifying IGF-II pathway activation as a strategy to counteract muscle-wasting conditions.
Autocrine growth factor signaling by insulin-like growth factor-II mediates MyoD-stimulated myocyte maturation
Journal of Biological Chemistry · 2003
Research in cell culture models identified IGF-II as an early autocrine signal induced by the myogenic transcription factor MyoD, with IGF-II production essential for myocyte fusion and terminal differentiation into myotubes, establishing IGF-II as a key endogenous regulator of skeletal muscle development at the cellular level.
IGF-2-mediated hypoglycemia in a patient with a phyllodes tumor of the breast: a rare presentation of non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia.
Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep · 2026
# Summary Research found that a phyllodes tumor of the breast caused non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH) through IGF-2 secretion, with the diagnosis aided by an elevated IGF-2:IGF-1 ratio rather than absolute IGF-2 levels alone. This study demonstrated that surgical tumor resection completely resolved the patient's recurrent hypoglycemia, confirming IGF-2-mediated NICTH as the underlying cause.
IGF-2 Side Effects & Safety Considerations
Moderate risk profile. Review all reported considerations carefully before use.
Reported contraindications & considerations
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. This information is educational only and does not constitute medical advice.
Where to Buy IGF-2 — Providers & Availability
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Questions to Ask Your Provider
Frequently Asked Questions — IGF-2
Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) is a naturally occurring peptide growth factor structurally homologous to IGF-1 that plays a central role in embryonic development and remains expressed in adult skeletal muscle, where it functions as an autocrine regulator of myoblast differentiation and myocyte maturation downstream of MyoD activation. IGF-2 binds both the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), which mediates PI3K/Akt anabolic signaling, and the mannose-6-phosphate/IGF-2 receptor (M6P/IGF-2R), which targets bound ligand for lysosomal degradation rather than intracellular signal transduction; the balance between these receptor populations influences net downstream anabolic signaling.
muscle growth, fat metabolism, tissue development, Recovery.
Research on IGF-2 primarily documents effects related to muscle growth and fat metabolism and tissue development and Recovery. These are areas covered in preclinical and clinical literature — individual response varies and effects depend on context of use.
Reported contraindications and considerations for IGF-2 include active cancer, hypoglycemia risk, acromegaly. This is educational information only — consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.
# Summary Research found that scientists engineered a modified insulin analog (1Ins) capable of binding to both insulin and IGF-1 receptors with high affinity, achieving approximately 1000-fold stronger IGF-1 receptor binding than native insulin. This study demonstrated that the engineered analog activates signaling pathways from both receptors simultaneously, providing neuroprotective effects in neuronal cells and effective glucose regulation in animal models.