Galectin-3 expression alters adhesion, motility and invasion in a lung cell line (DLKP), in vitro.
BACKGROUND
Galectin-3, a beta-galactosidase-binding protein, is involved in regulating many physiological and pathological cellular processes. The significance of galectin-3 in human lung and nasal carcinoma cells has not yet been elucidated.


METHODS
Using RT-PCR and Western blotting techniques, the constitutive level of galectin-3 in the human non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line, DLKP, was investigated. Following galectin-3 cDNA transfection into these cells, growth, toxicity, adhesion, motility and invasion assays were used to investigate the relevance of galectin-3 over-expression.


RESULTS
Galectin-3 over-expression did not induce a multi-drug resistance phenotype or significantly affect cell growth rate, but it did result in enhanced (i) adhesion to extracellular matrix components; (ii) cell motility; and (iii) in vitro invasiveness. Furthermore, studies of RPMI-2650 variants suggest that galectin-3 expression correlates with nasal carcinoma cell invasiveness.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that galectin-3 expression levels in both lung and nasal tumour cells may play a role in cell motility, invasion, and metastasis.
O'Driscoll
Lorraine
L
National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland. Lorraine.ODriscoll@dcu.ie
Linehan
Rasha
R
Liang
Yiz Heng
YH
Joyce
Helena
H
Oglesby
Irene
I
Clynes
Martin
M
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014162:Transfection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D037502:Galectin 3