Naslov
Galectin-3: An open-ended story

Autori
Dumić, Jerka ; Dabelić, Sanja ; Flogel, Mirna

Izvornik
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta-General Subjects (0304-4165) Online (2006);

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, pregledni rad, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Galectin-3; LGALS3; Structure; Expression; Tissue distribution; Functional properties; Immune reaction; Cancer

Sažetak
Galectins, an ancient lectin family, are characterized by specific binding of beta-galactosides through evolutionary conserved sequence elements of carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD). A structurally unique member of the family is galectin-3 ; in addition to the CRD it contains a proline- and glycine-rich N-terminal domain (ND) through which is able to form oligomers. Galectin-3 is widely spread among different types of cells and tissues, found intracellularly in nucleus and cytoplasm or secreted via non-classical pathway outside of cell, thus being found on the cell surface or in the extracellular space. Through specific interactions with a variety of intra- and extracellular proteins galectin-3 affects numerous biological processes and seems to be involved in different physiological and pathophysiological conditions, such as development, immune reactions, and neoplastic transformation and metastasis. The review attempts to summarize the existing information on structural, biochemical and intriguing functional properties of galectin-3.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA