"The book presented by Ron G. Rosenfeld and Charles T. Roberts and edited by Humana Press may be considered a true encyclopedia on the current status of art in this rapidly developing field...clinicians including endocrinologists, pediatricians, and gynecologists will find unique and valid information to enlarge the field of their diagnostic and therapeutic skills."-Endocrine Regulations " The editors have provided a timely service in putting to together a book that is both informative and accessible, and which provides both a broad perspective and in-depth reviews... This work covers many of the important areas of IGF research, from the beginnings of the field to more recent contributions on "the cutting edge." ...The sections on the molecular biology of the IGF system and signaling by the IGF receptors provide a wealth of information by leaders in the field, including Peter Rotwein, John Sussenbach, Haim Werner, Derek LeRoith, Peter Nissley, and Renato Baserga...this book provides both a balanced reference to those in the field and an accessible resource to those who would like to learn more."-Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal "This multi-authored text, introduced by the 'fathers' of this hormone, Daughaday and Salmon, is divided into four parts, all written by acknowledged international experts...the quality of the many illustrations is excellent and each chapter is well referenced. This book is highly recommended to pediatric endocrinologists."-Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism "This is an impressive compilation of papers that provides an important and significant update in an area for which the increase in them amount of research has been explosive...The list of prestigious contributors to this volume is remarkable. Equally remarkable for an edited volume is the consistency of writing style and depth of coverage among the contributors...The present volume is useful for just about anyone interested in the IGF system - from students, clinicians and those with a little knowledge of the IGF system, to established researchers...The descriptive figures are particularly useful...the volume is satisfying on many levels. The present volume does justice to the amazing complexity, diversity and importance of the IGF peptides in biological systems."-TEM

• 1 Historical Perspective: The Origins and Development of the Somatomedin Hypothesis.- I Molecular Biology of the IGF System.- 2 Molecular Biology of IGF-I and IGF-II.- 3 Regulation of IGF Gene Expression.- 4 Molecular Biology of the Type 1 IGF Receptor.- 5 Molecular Biology of the IGF-II/Mannose-6-Phosphate Receptor.- 6 Molecular Biology of the IGF Binding Proteins.- II Biological Actions of the IGFs.- 7 IGF-I Receptor Function: Transducing the IGF-I Signal into Intracellular Events.- 8 Type 2 IGF Receptor-Mediated Events.- 9 Alternative IGF-Related Receptors.- 10 IGF Binding Proteins as Modulators of IGF Action.- 11 IGF-Independent Actions of the IGF Binding Proteins.- 12 IGF Binding Proteins and Extracellular Matrix.- 13 Biological Actions of Proteolytic Fragments of the IGF Binding Proteins.- 14 The IGF Binding Protein Superfamily.- 15 IGFs and Cell Growth.- 16 Posttranslational Modification of the IGF Binding Proteins.- III IGF Physiology.- 17 IGFs in the Female Reproductive System.- 18 The IGF Axis in the Male Reproductive System.- 19 IGFs and the Nervous System.- 20 IGF System Components and Their Role in Bone Metabolism.- 21 IGFs and Skeletal Muscle.- 22 IGFs and the Digestive Tract.- 23 Actions of IGF System Proteins from Studies of Transgenic and Gene Knockout Models.- IV Clinical Aspects of the IGFs.- 24 Metabolic Effects of IGFs.- 25 Clinical Uses of IGF-I and IGF Binding Protein Assays.- 26 IGF Binding Protein Proteolysis in Various Clinical States.- 27 IGF Deficiency.- 28 Tumor Hypoglycemia Linked to IGF-II.- 29 IGFs in the Evaluation of Acromegaly.- 30 IGF in the Treatment of Diabetes.- 31 IGF-I Treatment of Growth Hormone Insensitivity.