Galectin-3 overexpression protects from cell damage and death by influencing mitochondrial homeostasis.
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.
Matarrese
P
P
Department of Ultrastructures, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome, Italy.
Tinari
N
N
Semeraro
M L
ML
Natoli
C
C
Iacobelli
S
S
Malorni
W
W
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000502:physiology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000494:pharmacology
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D037502:Galectin 3; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014812:Vitamin K