• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.455-461
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• 2016

Galectins are ${\beta}$-galactoside binding lectins that contain one or more carbohydrate recognition domains. As a consequence of sugar-binding properties, galectins exhibit a variety of interactions with glycoproteins, thus playing important roles in various pathological processes. A number of studies have shown roles of galectins in cancer. Galectin-7 is a prototype member of the galectin family implicated in epithelial stratification and cell migration. It can act as a potent dual regulator in different types of cancer. Galectin-7 may contribute either to neoplastic transformation and tumour progression through regulation of cell growth, cell cycle, angiogenesis, apoptosis and cell migration or may have a protective effect in cancer depending on the tissue type. A perusal of the literature indicates particular roles of galectin-7 in carcinomas and melanomas, while contributions await greater exploration in other types of cancers including sarcomas and leukemia. This review collectively summarizes available literature on expression and roles of galectin-7 in different cancers.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.245-253
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• 2019

Pathogen-associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) are highly conserved structural motifs that are recognized by Pathogen Recognition receptors (PRRs) to initiate immune responses. Infection by these pathogens and the immune response to PAMPS such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Peptidoglycan (PGN), bacterial oligodeoxynucleotides [CpG oligodeoxynucleotides 2006 (CpG ODN2006) and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides 2216 (CpG ODN2216)], and viral RNA Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic Acid (Poly I:C), are associated with infectious and metabolic diseases in animals impacting health and production. It is established that PAMPs mediate the production of cytokines by binding to PRRs such as Toll-like receptors (TLR) on immune cells. Galectins (Gal) are carbohydrate-binding proteins that when expressed play essential roles in the resolution of infectious and metabolic diseases. Thus it is important to determine if the expression of galectin gene (LGALS) and Gal secretion in blood are affected by exposure to LPS and PGN, PolyI:C and bacterial CpG ODNs. LPS increased transcription of LGALS4 and 12 (2.5 and 2.02 folds respectively) and decreased secretion of Gal 4 (p < 0.05). PGN increased transcription of LGALS-1, -2, -3, -4, -7, and -12 (3.0, 2.3, 2.0, 4.1, 3.3, and 2.4 folds respectively) and secretion of Gal-8 and Gal-9 (p < 0.05). Poly I:C tended to increase the transcription of LGALS1, LGALS4, and LGALS8 (1.78, 1.88, and 1.73 folds respectively). Secretion of Gal-1, -3, -8 and nine were significantly increased in treated samples compared to control (p < 0.05). CpG ODN2006 did not cause any significant fold changes in LGALS transcription (FC < 2) but increased secretion of Gal-1, and-3 (p < 0.05) in plasma compared to control. Gal-4 was however reduced in plasma (p < 0.05). CpG ODN2216 increased transcription of LGALS1 and LGALS3 (3.8 and 1.6 folds respectively), but reduced LGALS2, LGALS4, LGALS7, and LGALS12 (-1.9, -2.0, -2.0 and; -2.7 folds respectively). Secretion of Gal-2 and -3 in plasma was increased compared to control (p < 0.05). Gal-4 secretion was reduced in plasma (p < 0.05). The results demonstrate that PAMPs differentially modulate galectin transcription and translation of galectins in cow blood.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.130-134
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• 2008

Carbohydrate-conjugated chlorins were synthesized for use as biosensors for the detection of the galectin-3 cancer marker. We used ELISA, SDS-gel electrophoresis, and Bradford assays to examine the binding of galectins to d-(+)-galactose- and b-lactose-conjugated chlorins. The binding affinities of these conjugated chlorins for galectin-3 were quantified using fluorescence spectroscopy. The fluorescence emission of the carbohydrate-conjugated chlorins decreased as the amount of galectin-3 in the binding reaction increased over a limited concentration range, indicating that carbohydrate-conjugated chlorins are potentially useful fluorescence biosensors for the galectin-3 cancer marker.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2008

Galectins are a group of animal lectins consisting of galectin-type carbohydrate recognition domains (CRD) with relatively minor domains. The biological properties of galectins include the regulation of inflammation, intercellular adhesion, cell differentiation and cell death. The diverse kinds of galectin suggest variety in their biological roles. Galectin-1 is released during adipocyte differentiation and is associated with fat which is one of the important factors for meat quality. To verify expression level, a 0.5 kb clone of galectin-1 was obtained from cDNA prepared from back fat tissue of a Sancheong Berkshire pig with good quality meat, and the galectin-1 gene identified. The deduced amino acid sequence of the galectin-1 gene was compared with those obtained from other species. By using RT-PCR and Real time-PCR, an attempt was made to determine the expression level of galectin-1 and to compare with various tissues (tenderloin and back fat) taken from pigs in different groups. Grouping of pigs was based on growth-stage (weighing 60, 80, and 110 kg) and the sub-speciation (Yorkshire and Sancheong Berkshire pigs). We attempted to determine influences of pig species, growth stages and tissue variations on the expression level of the galectin-l gene and it was revealed that the expression pattern of the galectin-1 gene was significantly different (p<0.01 or p<0.05). Galectin-1 genes were expressed more highly in the back fat tissues of pigs weighing 110 kg than in those weighing 60 kg or 80 kg. However, the lowest expression was seen in the tenderloin tissues of pigs weighing 110 kg. Sancheong Berkshire pigs showed higher expression of the galectin-1 gene compared to Yorkshire pigs. Accordingly, it is considered that the expression pattern of the galectin-1 gene influences the growth of back fat tissues and the pig speciation relationship. Previous studies suggested that different expression of galectin-1 genes represents variety among the breeds and is closely related to fat tissue growth, conjugation and catabolism. Further, this study suggests that the expression of galectin-1 at a specific growth stage and tissue contributes significantly to the overall meat quality of Sancheong Berkshire pigs.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.227-232
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• 2012

Galectins are generally believed to be potential candidates for use in the development of novel antiinflammatory agents or as selective modulators of the immune response. In particular, galectin-9 exhibits some of the extracellular functions, including cell aggregation, adhesion, chemoattraction, activation, and apoptosis. Tl-galectin (Tl-gal, galectin-9 homologue gene) was isolated from an adult worm of the Toxascaris leonina. The full-length Tl-gal gene, which was incorporated into pET-28a, was overexpressed in E. coli and purified by nickel affinity and gel filtration chromatographies. The purified Tl-gal was crystallized using the hangingdrop vapor-diffusion method. The crystal belonged to the tetragonal space group $P4_1$, with unit-cell parameters of a = b = $75.7\AA$ and c = $248.4\AA$. The crystals were obtained at $20^{\circ}C$ and diffracted to a resolution of $3.0\AA$. The asymmetric unit contained four molecules of Tl-gal, which gave a crystal volume per protein mass (Vm) of $2.8\AA^3Da^{-1}$ and a solvent content of 54.1%.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.559-571
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• 2022

Galectins, a family of ß-galactoside-binding lectins, have emerged as soluble mediators in infected cells and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) responsible for evoking and regulating innate immunity. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of galectin-1 in the host immune response of redlip mullet (Liza haematocheilia). We established a cDNA database for redlip mullet, and the cDNA sequence of galectin-1 (LhGal-1) was characterized. In silico analysis was performed, and the spatial and temporal expression patterns in gills and blood in response to lipopolysaccharide polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, and Lactococcus garvieae were estimated via quantitative real-time PCR. Functional assays were conducted using recombinant protein to investigate carbohydrate binding, bacterial binding, and bacterial agglutination activity. LhGal-1 was composed of 135 amino acids. Conserved motifs (H-NPR, -N- and -W-E-R) within the carbohydrate recognition domain were found in LhGal-1. The tissue distribution revealed that the healthy stomach expressed high levels of LhGal-1. The temporal monitoring of LhGal-1 mRNA expression in the gill and blood showed its significant upregulation in response to immune challenges with different stimulants. rLhGal-1 exhibited binding activity in response to carbohydrates and bacteria. Moreover, the agglutination of rLhGal-1 against Escherichia coli was observed. Collectively, our findings suggest that LhGal-1 may function as a PRR in redlip mullet. Furthermore, LhGal-1 can be considered a significant gene to play a protective role in redlip mullet immune system.