Skip to content
Peptides Codex
ENFR

Use the arrow keys to choose a result, Enter to open it, and Escape to close.

← Home
Peptide hormone / growth factor

Insulin-like growth factor 2

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) is a ~67-amino-acid peptide of the insulin-like family that promotes cell growth, survival, migration and differentiation.

By The Peptides Codex Editorial TeamIndividual review date not recorded

Page data last changed: . Chemistry registry snapshot: . Registry refreshes and identity assessments are separate from scientific content review.

Length
67 aa
Class
Peptide hormone / growth factor
Function
Promotes cell growth, survival and differentiation; major fetal growth factor
Context
Fetal growth, imprinting and cancer-biology research

The dominant fetal growth factor of the insulin-like family, regulated by genomic imprinting.

Also known as: IGF-2 · IGF2 · somatomedin A

Part of the Growth hormone & IGF peptides cluster

Overview

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) is a ~67-amino-acid peptide of the insulin-like family that promotes cell growth, survival, migration and differentiation. It is the major growth factor of fetal development and is encoded by the imprinted IGF2 gene. This page is educational and not medical advice.

Source & context

Biological / chemical source: Encoded by the imprinted IGF2 gene (chromosome 11p15.5)

Primary research or clinical context: Fetal growth, imprinting and cancer-biology research

Structure and imprinting

IGF-2 shares the insulin-like fold and interacts with the IGF-1 receptor, the insulin receptor and the IGF-2 (mannose-6-phosphate) receptor. The IGF2 gene lies in an imprinted region of chromosome 11p15.5 and is expressed mainly from the paternal allele.

Research relevance

IGF-2 is essential for fetoplacental growth and continues to act as an endocrine, autocrine or paracrine factor after birth. Dysregulated imprinting and overexpression are studied in overgrowth syndromes and in cancer biology, where IGF-2 signaling supports proliferation.

Structure & chemistry

Molecular identity & reference confidence

Reference mass unavailable

Reference values are taken from the cited molecular record or curated profile. A database match is not independent laboratory verification; modifications, counter-ions, and formulations can change the measured mass.

Molecular form
Insulin-like growth factor 2 (source record; form not independently established)
Species
Not established by this molecular identity audit
Termini (N / C)
Not specified / Not specified

Average reference mass

Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05

Identifiers

Chemistry values: IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology · fetched 2026-09-06.

Clinical development snapshot

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 78 registered studies with “Insulin-like growth factor 2” as an intervention (snapshot 2026-10-01). A registry footprint is not evidence of efficacy or approval.

Registered studies
78
Highest phase reached
Phase 4
Active in latest 100
10
Most recent update
2026-09-28
Most recently updated studies
NCTTitlePhaseStatusUpdated
NCT06881992A Phase 3 Study of Ersodetug in Patients With Tumor HyperinsulinismPhase 3recruiting2026-09-28
NCT07733856Early Access Treatment With Tralesinidase Alfa in Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIB (Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B)—available2026-09-21
NCT06987708Evaluating the Impact of a 12-month Multi-Modal Lifestyle Management Intervention on Disease Relevant BiomarkeNot applicablenot yet recruiting2026-08-24
NCT07037420ALXN2420 Versus Placebo in Combination With Somatostatin Analogs in Participants With AcromegalyPhase 2terminated2026-08-07
NCT03253263A Clinical Efficacy and Safety Study of OHB-607 in Preventing Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Extremely PrematurPhase 2active not recruiting2026-08-03
NCT07736079Evaluation of Serum Preptin Levels in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome—not yet recruiting2026-07-30
See all on ClinicalTrials.gov →

FAQ about Insulin-like growth factor 2

What is Insulin-like growth factor 2?+

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) is a ~67-amino-acid peptide of the insulin-like family that promotes cell growth, survival, migration and differentiation. It is the major growth factor of fetal development and is encoded by the imprinted IGF2 gene. This page is educational and not medical advice.

What Canadian product status is recorded for Insulin-like growth factor 2?+

Canadian product status for Insulin-like growth factor 2 has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.

What is the typical length of Insulin-like growth factor 2?+

Insulin-like growth factor 2 is commonly described as approximately 67 amino acids (Peptide hormone / growth factor).

Related peptides

ACE-031
ActRIIB decoy-receptor fusion protein
ACE-031 is an engineered decoy receptor made by fusing the extracellular domain of the activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB) to an IgG1 Fc fragment. It binds myostatin and related ligands to block their signaling. It is investigational, its clinical development was halted, and it is not approved; this page is educational only.
Larazotide
Tight-junction regulator peptide
Larazotide (larazotide acetate, AT-1001) is a synthetic eight-amino-acid peptide studied as a regulator of intestinal tight junctions, the seals between gut lining cells. It was investigated in celiac disease research. Its Phase 3 program was discontinued and it is not approved; this page is educational only.
Lixisenatide
Incretin mimetic (GLP-1 receptor agonist)
Lixisenatide is a synthetic GLP-1 receptor agonist built on the exendin-4 scaffold rather than on human GLP-1. Marketed as Lyxumia and Adlyxin, it is an approved prescription medicine in the EU and United States and a useful case study in how venom-derived peptides are adapted into once-daily therapeutics.
Calcitonin
Hormone
Calcitonin is a 32-amino-acid peptide hormone secreted by thyroid C-cells that helps regulate blood calcium. Salmon calcitonin has been used as an approved medicine in several jurisdictions.

References & further reading

  1. 1.Tang et al. (2025). Insulin‑like growth factor 2 in spermatogenesis dysfunction (Review). Mol Med Rep
  2. 2.Pizzarelli et al. (2023). Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) rescues social deficits in NLG3(-/y) mouse model of ASDs. Front Cell Neurosci
  3. 3.Adachi et al. (2021). Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 and Incidence of Liver Cancer in a Nested Case-Control Study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev
  4. 4.Min et al. (2026). Editor's Note: Essential Role of DNA Methyltransferase 1-mediated Transcription of Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 in Resistance to Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors. Clin Cancer Res
  5. 5.Kadakia et al. (2016). The Relationship of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 to Fetal Growth and Adiposity. Horm Res Paediatr
  6. 6.Cao et al. (2021). Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 mRNA-Binding Protein 2-a Potential Link Between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cancer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab
  7. 7.Gui et al. (2021). Knockdown of insulin-like growth factor 2 gene disrupts mitochondrial functions in the liver. J Mol Cell Biol
  8. 8.Zhang et al. (2019). Insulin-like growth factor 2 promotes the adipogenesis of hemangioma-derived stem cells. Exp Ther Med
  9. 9.GeneCards — IGF2 gene (Insulin Like Growth Factor 2)
  10. 10.Wikipedia — Insulin-like growth factor 2
Disclaimer: Educational content only. Not medical advice. Not instructions for human use. Research peptides and unapproved products may be restricted or illegal to market for human consumption in your jurisdiction. Consult qualified professionals and applicable law.
You might also like: All peptides · Atlas · Research · Tools
Cite this: Peptides Codex — Insulin-like growth factor 2 educational profile.
Tip: Use browser print (Ctrl/Cmd + P) for a clean PDF of this page.