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Galectin-3 and metastasis

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Abstract

Galectin-3, a 31 kDa member of the β-galactoside-binding proteins, is an intracellular and extracellular lectin which interacts with intracellular glycoproteins, cell surface molecules and extracellular matrix proteins. Galectin-3 is expressed widely in epithelial and immune cells and its expression is correlated with cancer aggressiveness and metastasis. Galectin-3 is involved in various biological phenomena including cell growth, adhesion, differentiation, angiogenesis and apoptosis. Recent research revealed that galectin-3 is associated with several steps of invasion and metastasis, like angiogenesis, cell-matrix interaction, dissemination through blood flow and extravasation. Recently, we and others have shown that galectin-3 can be a reliable diagnostic marker in certain cancers and one of the target proteins of cancer treatment. In this review, we describe the involvement of galectin-3 in each steps of metastasis and clinical significance of galectin-3. Published in 2004.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tumor Progression and Metastasis Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA

    Yukinori Takenaka, Tomoharu Fukumori & Avraham Raz

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  1. Yukinori Takenaka
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  2. Tomoharu Fukumori
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  3. Avraham Raz
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Correspondence to Avraham Raz.

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Takenaka, Y., Fukumori, T. & Raz, A. Galectin-3 and metastasis. Glycoconj J 19, 543–549 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:GLYC.0000014084.01324.15

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