The role of insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding proteins in female reproductive pathophysiology

• Published in: Reproductive biology and endocrinology 2022-06, Vol.20 (1), p.89-89, Article 89
• Main Authors: Xu, Xiao, Shen, Hao-Ran, Zhang, Jia-Rong, Li, Xue-Lian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Binding proteins; Carcinogenesis; Cell division; Cell growth; Cell migration; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Embryogenesis; Embryonic development; Embryos; Endometrium; Female reproductive system; Folliculogenesis; GDM; Genomes; IMP; Insulin; Insulin-like growth factor II; Insulin-like growth factors; Kinases; Localization; Mammals; Messenger RNA; Metabolism; mRNA; Obstetrics; Ovaries; Ovary; Pathogenesis; Pathophysiology; PCOS; Physiological aspects; Physiology; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Pre-eclampsia; Pregnancy; Protein binding; Proteins; Review; RNA processing; RNA-binding protein; Stein-Leventhal syndrome; Therapeutic targets; Tumorigenesis
• ISSN: 1477-7827; 1477-7827
• DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-00960-z

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) mRNA binding proteins (IMPs) family belongs to a highly conserved family of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and is responsible for regulating RNA processing including localization, translation and stability. Mammalian IMPs (IMP1-3) take part in development, metabolism and tumorigenesis, where they are believed to play a major role in cell growth, metabolism, migration and invasion. IMPs have been identified that are expressed in ovary, placenta and embryo. The up-to-date evidence suggest that IMPs are involved in folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation, embryogenesis, implantation, and placentation. The dysregulation of IMPs not only contributes to carcinogenesis but also disturbs the female reproduction, and may participate in the pathogenesis of reproductive diseases and obstetric syndromes, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pre-eclampsia (PE), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and gynecological tumors. In this review, we summarize the role of IMPs in female reproductive pathophysiology, and hope to provide new insights into the identification of potential therapeutic targets.