Dissecting the signal transduction pathways triggered by galectin-glycan interactions in physiological and pathological settings

DIEGO J. LADERACH, DANIEL COMPAGNO, MARTA A. TOSCANO, DIEGO O. CROCI, SEBASTIÁN DERGAN-DYLON, MARIANA SALATINO & GABRIEL A. RABINOVICH

IUBMB LIFE

JOHN WILEY & SONS INC

Año: 2010 vol. 62 p. 1 - 13

1521-6543

Galectins are a family of evolutionarily conserved animal lectins with pleiotropic functions and widespread distribution. Fifteen members have been identified in a wide variety of cells and tissues. Through recognition of cell surface glycoproteins and glycolipids, these endogenous lectins can trigger a cascade of intracellular signaling pathways capable of modulating cell differentiation, proliferation, survival and migration. These cellular events are critical in a variety of biological processes including embryogenesis, angiogenesis, neurogenesis and immunity and are substantially altered during tumorigenesis, neurodegeneration and inflammation. In addition, galectins can modulate intracellular functions and this effect involves direct interactions with distinct signaling pathways. In this review we discuss current knowledge on the intracellular signaling pathways triggered by this multifunctional family of â-galactoside-binding proteins in selected physiological and pathological settings. Understanding the ‘galectin signalosome’ will be essential to delineate rational therapeutic strategies based on the specific control of galectin expression and function.