Galectin-1: biphasic growth regulation of Leydig tumor cells

VERÓNICA A BIRON; M. MERCEDES IGLESIAS; MARÍA F. TRONCOSO; MARCOS BESIO-MORENO; ZORAIDA J. PATRIGNANI; OMAR P. PIGNATARO; CARLOTA WOLFENSTEIN-TODEL

GLYCOBIOLOGY

Oxford University Press

Año: 2006 vol. 16 p. 810 - 821

0959-6658

Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is a widely expressed b-galactoside binding protein that exerts pleiotropic biological functions. To gain insight into the potential role of Gal-1 as a novel modulator of Leydig cells, we investigated its effect on the growth and death of MA-10 tumor Leydig cells. In this study, we identified cytoplasmic Gal-1 expression in these tumor cells by cytofluorometry. DNA fragmentation, caspase-3, -8 and -9 activation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release and FasL expression suggested that relatively high concentrations of exogenously added recombinant Gal-1 induced apoptosis by the mitochondrial and death receptor pathways. These pathways were independently activated, as the presence of the inhibitor of caspase-8 or -9 only partially prevented Gal-1-effect. On the other hand, low concentrations of Gal-1 significantly promoted cell proliferation, without inducing cell death. Importantly, the presence of the disaccharide lactose prevented Gal-1 effects, suggesting the involvement of the carbohydrate recognition domain. The present study provides strong evidence that Gal-1 is a novel biphasic regulator of Leydig tumor cell number, suggesting a novel role for Gal-1 in the reproductive physiopathology.