Galectin-1 induces astrocyte differentiation, which leads to production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neuroprotective polypeptide that is thought to be responsible for neuron proliferation, differentiation, and survival. An agent that enhances production of BDNF is expected to be useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Here we report that galectin-1, a member of the family of beta-galactoside binding proteins, induces astrocyte differentiation and strongly inhibits astrocyte proliferation, and then the differentiated astrocytes greatly enhance their production of BDNF. Induction of astrocyte differentiation and BDNF production by an endogenous mammalian lectin may be a new mechanism for preventing neuronal loss after injury.
Sasaki
Tasuku
T
Glycobiology Research Group, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Foundation for Research on Aging and Promotion of Human Welfare, 35-2 Sakaecho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan.
Hirabayashi
Jun
J
Manya
Hiroshi
H
Kasai
Ken-ichi
K
Endo
Tamao
T
D000818:Animals; D001212:Asialoglycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D060748:Fetuins; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D010766:Phosphorylation; D019000:Phosphotyrosine / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism
D001212:Asialoglycoproteins; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D060748:Fetuins; D037483:Galectin 1; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; C017029:asialofetuin; D019000:Phosphotyrosine