Abstract
Galectin-3 is a member of a family of β-galactoside-binding animal lectins and is distinct from other members by the presence of tandem repeats in its N-terminal region. Like other members, galectin-3 lacks a classical signal sequence, but the protein is secreted by a nonclassical secretary pathway and can function extracellularly in an autocrine or paracrine fashion. Galectin-3 is able to oligomerize and participate in multivalent interactions with cell surface and extracellular matrix glycans, through lectin-carbohydrate interactions, thus affecting cellular functions. Galectin-3 is detectable in the cytosol and nucleus and the intracellular protein may bind to other cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins by protein-protein interactions. In this manner, galectin-3 is able to influence intracellular signaling pathways and exert various functions. Galectin-3 is expressed by virtually all immune and inflammatory cell types, either constitutively or in a inducible fashion. A large body of work has demonstrated the role of galectin-3 in regulation of the functions of these cells. The use of galectin-3-deficient mice has provided additional evidence for this protein's contribution to the inflammatory response. Thus, galectin-3 may be a therapeutic target for various inflammatory diseases.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 455-460 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Drug News and Perspectives |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 2007 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
Cite this
The role of galectin-3 in promotion of the inflammatory response. / Liu, Fu-Tong; Hsu, Daniel K.
In: Drug News and Perspectives, Vol. 20, No. 7, 09.2007, p. 455-460.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of galectin-3 in promotion of the inflammatory response
AU - Liu, Fu-Tong
AU - Hsu, Daniel K.
PY - 2007/9
Y1 - 2007/9
N2 - Galectin-3 is a member of a family of β-galactoside-binding animal lectins and is distinct from other members by the presence of tandem repeats in its N-terminal region. Like other members, galectin-3 lacks a classical signal sequence, but the protein is secreted by a nonclassical secretary pathway and can function extracellularly in an autocrine or paracrine fashion. Galectin-3 is able to oligomerize and participate in multivalent interactions with cell surface and extracellular matrix glycans, through lectin-carbohydrate interactions, thus affecting cellular functions. Galectin-3 is detectable in the cytosol and nucleus and the intracellular protein may bind to other cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins by protein-protein interactions. In this manner, galectin-3 is able to influence intracellular signaling pathways and exert various functions. Galectin-3 is expressed by virtually all immune and inflammatory cell types, either constitutively or in a inducible fashion. A large body of work has demonstrated the role of galectin-3 in regulation of the functions of these cells. The use of galectin-3-deficient mice has provided additional evidence for this protein's contribution to the inflammatory response. Thus, galectin-3 may be a therapeutic target for various inflammatory diseases.
AB - Galectin-3 is a member of a family of β-galactoside-binding animal lectins and is distinct from other members by the presence of tandem repeats in its N-terminal region. Like other members, galectin-3 lacks a classical signal sequence, but the protein is secreted by a nonclassical secretary pathway and can function extracellularly in an autocrine or paracrine fashion. Galectin-3 is able to oligomerize and participate in multivalent interactions with cell surface and extracellular matrix glycans, through lectin-carbohydrate interactions, thus affecting cellular functions. Galectin-3 is detectable in the cytosol and nucleus and the intracellular protein may bind to other cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins by protein-protein interactions. In this manner, galectin-3 is able to influence intracellular signaling pathways and exert various functions. Galectin-3 is expressed by virtually all immune and inflammatory cell types, either constitutively or in a inducible fashion. A large body of work has demonstrated the role of galectin-3 in regulation of the functions of these cells. The use of galectin-3-deficient mice has provided additional evidence for this protein's contribution to the inflammatory response. Thus, galectin-3 may be a therapeutic target for various inflammatory diseases.
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U2 - 10.1358/dnp.2007.20.7.1149628
DO - 10.1358/dnp.2007.20.7.1149628
M3 - Article
VL - 20
SP - 455
EP - 460
JO - Drug News and Perspectives
JF - Drug News and Perspectives
SN - 0214-0934
IS - 7
ER -