title: [Vertebrate galectins: structure and function, role in tumoral process].
abstract: Galectins are proteins structurally related to the lectin family. They share, with lectins, the ability to bind carbohydrate residues. Galectins are suspected to mediate several biological functions such as embryonic development growth, immune response and apoptosis. Their role is similar to that of adhesion molecules in cell to cell or to matrix interactions. Their contribution to human carcinogenesis has been suggested from experimental studies. In clinical research, they could be used as a differentiation marker, particularly in thyroid carcinomas and in certain lymphomas.
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHR Pontchaillou, 35033 Rennes.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bassen
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brichory
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caulet-Maugendre
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delaval
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dazord
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002450:Cell Communication; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D037502:Galectin 3; D037161:Galectins; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D008024:Ligands; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D037502:Galectin 3; D037161:Galectins; D006388:Hemagglutinins; D008024:Ligands