Growth and metabolic signalling
IGF-1 receptor signalling
Activation of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor promotes intracellular signalling involved in cell growth, survival, protein synthesis and metabolism.
Biological pathway
IGF-1 receptor activation → receptor tyrosine kinase signalling → PI3K-AKT-mTOR and RAS-MAPK pathways → anabolic, survival and proliferative responses.
Evidence summary
The pathway is well established in physiology and pharmacology, but effects differ between endogenous IGF-1, approved recombinant IGF-1 and unapproved analogues such as LR3 IGF-1.
Limitations
Pathway activation is not inherently beneficial and can produce hypoglycaemia, tissue overgrowth and other systemic effects. Laboratory potency does not establish safe human use.