When Galectins Recognize Glycans: From Biochemistry to Physiology and Back Again

Abstract

In the past decade, increasing efforts have been devoted to the study of galectins, a family of evolutionarily conserved glycan-binding proteins with multifunctional properties. Galectins function, either intracellularly or extracellularly, as key biological mediators capable of monitoring changes occurring on the cell surface during fundamental biological processes such as cellular communication, inflammation, development, and differentiation. Their highly conserved structures, exquisite carbohydrate specificity, and ability to modulate a broad spectrum of biological processes have captivated a wide range of scientists from a wide spectrum of disciplines, including biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, and physiology. However, in spite of enormous efforts to dissect the functions and properties of these glycan-binding proteins, limited information about how structural and biochemical aspects of these proteins can influence biological functions is available. In this review, we aim to integrate structural, biochemical, and functional aspects of this bewildering and ancient family of glycan-binding proteins and discuss their implications in physiologic and pathologic settings.

Astrocyte reactivity after brain injury—: The role of galectins 1 and 3

“…3E). As also Lgals1 is significantly upregulated in reactive astrocytes and both have been implicated in regulating adult NSCs (Beckervordersandforth et al, 2010; Di Lella et al, 2011; Kajitani et al, 2009; Sakaguchi et al, 2006; Yan et al, 2009), this prompted us to focus on the role of Lgals1 and Lgals3 in the injured cerebral cortex.…”

Galectin-3 in Patients with Acute Heart Failure: Preliminary Report on First Polish Experience

“…Galectins (Gals) constitute a family of evolutionary conserved β-galactoside binding lectins that play many important regulatory roles in immunity, inflammation, atherosclerosis, diabetes, embryogenesis, and also neoangiogenesis [12]. Members of the galectin family are categorized by their characteristic amino acid sequences.…”

Entomotoxic and nematotoxic lectins and protease inhibitors from fungal fruiting bodies

“…Galectins constitute a family of β-galactoside-binding hololectins with a characteristic fold and a signature of carbohydrate-binding residues that occurs in animals and fungi but is apparently absent from bacteria and plants (Di Lella et al 2011). The genome of the model mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea contains a tandem gene array encoding two highly homologous galectins: CGL1 and CGL2 (Cooper et al 1997) (Table 1).…”