Insulin Like Protein 4 (INSL4)

The insulin and insulin-like growth factors belong to a family of polypeptides essential for proper regulation of physiologic processes such as energy metabolism, cell proliferation, development, and differentiation.

INSL4 encodes the insulin-like 4 protein, a member of the insulin superfamily. INSL4 encodes a precursor that undergoes post-translational cleavage to produce 3 polypeptide chains, A-C, that form tertiary structures composed of either all three chains, or just the A and B chains. Expression of INSL4 products occurs within the early placental cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast.Expressed in placenta, uterus and in fetal perichondrium. Expression levels were increased in both early placentas and molar pregnancies and were reduced in choriocarcinoma cells.