IGF1EcMGF

IGF1EcMGF, also known as Mechano Growth Factor (MGF) or the E-domain variant of IGF-1, is a splice variant of the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) gene. It is primarily produced in skeletal muscle tissue in response to mechanical stress and muscle damage. The "Ec" in IGF1EcMGF refers to the presence of an additional exon (exon C) in its messenger RNA sequence compared to the standard IGF-1. This exon C encodes a unique peptide sequence that is not found in mature IGF-1.

MGF plays a significant role in muscle repair, regeneration, and growth (hypertrophy). When muscle fibers are stretched or injured, the expression of MGF is upregulated. It binds to the IGF-1 receptor, initiating signaling pathways that promote satellite cell activation. Satellite cells are muscle stem cells that are crucial for muscle repair and growth. Activated satellite cells proliferate and differentiate into new muscle fibers or fuse with existing ones, thereby increasing muscle mass and strength.

Research into MGF has explored its potential applications in sports performance enhancement and therapeutic interventions for muscle wasting conditions. However, much of the research is still in its early stages, and its effectiveness and safety in humans for these purposes require further investigation. The endogenous production of MGF is transient, suggesting a localized and short-lived effect on muscle tissue.