Early placenta insulin-like peptide
Developmental stage
Highly expressed in the early placenta. Expression of epil peptides in the villous cytotrophoblast is different from that displayed by the syncytiotrophoblast. In fetal tissues it was identified in the perichondrium of all four limbs, vertebrae, and ribs. It was abundant in interbone ligaments.
Function
May play an important role in trophoblast development and in the regulation of bone formation.
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the insulin family.
Tissue Specificity
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.
Cellular localization
- Secreted
Alternative names
Early placenta insulin-like peptide, EPIL, Insulin-like peptide 4, Placentin, INSL4