Galectin‐3 overexpression protects from cell damage and death by influencing mitochondrial homeostasis

FEBS Letters

Malorni, Walter¹  Matarrese, Paola¹  Semeraro, Maria Letizia¹  Natoli, Clara²  Iacobelli, Stefano²  Tinari, Nicola² 

[1] Department of Ultrastuctures, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;Department of Oncology and Neurosciences, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy

关键词: Galectin-3;    Oxidative balance;    Cell injury;    Cell death;   

DOI  :  10.1016/S0014-5793(00)01547-7

学科分类：生物化学/生物物理

来源: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

【 摘 要 】

Galectins are a family of proteins involved in several cell processes, including their survival and death. Galectin-3 has in particular been described as an anti-apoptotic molecule entangled with a number of subcellular activities including anoikis resistance. In this work we partially address the mechanisms underlying this activity pointing at two key factors in injury progression: the alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential and the formation of reactive oxygen species. Overexpression of galectin-3 appears in fact to exert a protective effect towards both these events. On the basis of these data, we propose a reappraisal of the role of galectin-3 as a regulator of mitochondrial homeostasis.

【 授权许可】

Unknown