Abstract
Changes in cell growth and metabolism are affected by the surrounding environmental factors to adapt to the cell’s most appropriate growth model. However, abnormal cell metabolism is correlated with the occurrence of many diseases and is accompanied by changes in galectin (Gal) performance. Gals were found to be some of the master regulators of cell–cell interactions that reconstruct the microenvironment, and disordered expression of Gals is associated with multiple human metabolic-related diseases including cancer development. Cancer cells can interact with surrounding cells through Gals to create more suitable conditions that promote cancer cell aggressiveness. In this review, we organize the current understanding of Gals in a systematic way to dissect Gals’ effect on human disease, including how Gals’ dysregulated expression affects the tumor microenvironment’s metabolism and elucidating the mechanisms involved in Gal-mediated diseases. This information may shed light on a more precise understanding of how Gals regulate cell biology and facilitate the development of more effective therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment by targeting the Gal family.
Highlights
In 1977, Halina Den and coworkers performed β-D-galectinoside-specific lectin isolation from chickens [1], introducing the roles of Gal in cell biology
130 amino acids that form a highly conserved, small, and soluble structure composed of the functional carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD), which has an affinity for binding to the β-galactoside and carbohydrates that further classify Gal family proteins through
Zheng et al reported that Gal-1 expression was correlated with tumor volume and glycolysis-related markers (GLUT-1 and hexokinase II), which may serve as an independent prognostic marker in lung adenocarcinoma [89]
Summary
In 1977, Halina Den and coworkers performed β-D-galectinoside-specific lectin isolation from chickens [1], introducing the roles of Gal in cell biology. The versatility and controversial roles of galectins have remained diverse according to an increasing number of studies [2]. How specific galectins connect and remodel their ordinary function to disease development remains an elusive question. We organize the current understanding of galectins, from their fundamental roles to disease development, and their druggable potential for readers to appreciate their importance
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