LIN-28 is a highly conserved, RNA-binding, cytoplasmic protein. It consists of a cold shock domain and retroviral-type (CCHC) zinc finger motifs that were first identified in Caenorhabditis elegans. LIN-28 controls the timing of events during embryonic development and is readily expressed in embryos, embryonic stem cells and embryonal carcinoma cells. The presence of LIN-28 persists in some adult tissues including cardiac and skeletal muscle. In differentiating myoblasts, LIN-28 increases protein sysnthesis efficiency and binds to the growth and differentiation factor IGF-II.