Mechano-growth factor (MGF) (MGF)

Mechano-growth factor (MGF) is a locally produced splice variant of the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) gene, specifically designated as the IGF-1Ec isoform in humans. Unlike systemic IGF-1 produced by the liver, MGF is expressed primarily in skeletal muscle in response to mechanical strain, such as resistance exercise or physical injury. Its primary biological role is to initiate muscle repair and hypertrophy by stimulating the proliferation and activation of satellite cells (muscle stem cells), which then fuse with existing muscle fibers to donate nuclei and increase protein synthesis. MGF is considered a potent therapeutic target for treating muscle-wasting conditions like sarcopenia, cachexia, and muscular dystrophies, and it has also shown neuroprotective properties in models of neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Pharmacological development has focused on stabilized versions like PEGylated MGF (PEG-MGF) to overcome the peptide's naturally short half-life for therapeutic and research applications.

Other names

IGF-1EcInsulin-like growth factor 1EcMuscle-specific IGF-1Mechano-growth factor peptideIGF-1Eb (rodent ortholog)

Activation of satellite cell proliferation and induction of muscle protein synthesis via the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and potentially unique E-domain-specific signaling pathways.