Insulin-like protein 4 (INSL4)

Insulin-like protein 4 (INSL4) is a member of the insulin superfamily, encoded by the INSL4 gene on chromosome 9 in humans. It is expressed primarily in the early placenta, especially in cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells. The protein is synthesized as a precursor that undergoes post-translational cleavage to form three polypeptide chains (A, B, and C), assembling into tertiary structures composed either of all three chains or just A and B chains. While its precise physiological role is not fully defined, INSL4 is believed to be important for trophoblast development and may participate in the regulation of bone formation. There is no evidence supporting INSL4 as a direct therapeutic target, receptor, or common biomarker for disease, nor are there any approved drugs that selectively target this protein[1][3][6][5].

Other names

Early placenta insulin-like peptideINSL4