Study summary · research use only
Humanin: Functional Interfaces with IGF-I
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This review discusses humanin, a 24 amino acid peptide encoded in the mitochondrial genome and described as the first member of a novel class of mitochondrial derived peptides, initially found to have neuroprotective effects, with later reports of effects in disease models including stroke, cardiovascular disease, and cancer (species not specified). The review states the authors' laboratory previously found humanin bound IGFBP-3, and that more recent studies found humanin decreases circulating IGF-I levels, while IGF-I also appears to regulate humanin levels. The review covers the known interaction between humanin and IGF-I and states that although the exact mechanism of their mutual regulation remains to be defined, humanin is described as a new participant in IGF-I signaling.
Abstract
Humanin is the first newly discovered peptide encoded in the mitochondrial genome in over three decades. It is the first member of a novel class of mitochondrial derived peptides. This small, 24 amino acid peptide was initially discovered to have neuroprotective effects and subsequent experiments have shown that it is beneficial in a diverse number of disease models including stroke, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Over a decade ago, our lab found that humanin bound IGFBP-3 and more recent studies have found it to decrease circulating IGF-I levels. In turn, IGF-I also seems to regulate humanin levels and in this review, we cover the known interaction between humanin and IGF-I. Although the exact mechanism for how humanin and IGF-I regulate each other still needs to be elucidated, it is clear that humanin is a new player in IGF-I signaling.
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