Galectin-1 expression in innervated and denervated skeletal muscle.
Galectin-1 is a soluble carbohydrate-binding protein with a particularly high expression in skeletal muscle. Galectin-1 has been implicated in skeletal muscle development and in adult muscle regeneration, but also in the degeneration of neuronal processes and/or in peripheral nerve regeneration. Exogenously supplied oxidized galectin-1, which lacks carbohydrate-binding properties, has been shown to promote neurite outgrowth after sciatic nerve sectioning. In this study, we compared the expression of galectin-1 mRNA and immunoreactivity in innervated and denervated mouse and rat hind-limb and hemidiaphragm muscles. The results show that galectin-1 mRNA expression and immunoreactivity are up-regulated following denervation. The galectin-1 mRNA is expressed in the extrasynaptic and perisynaptic regions of the muscle, and its immunoreactivity can be detected in both regions by Western blot analysis. The results are compatible with a role for galectin-1 in facilitating reinnervation of denervated skeletal muscle.
Svensson
Anna
A
University of Kalmar, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden. anna.svensson@hik.se
Tågerud
Sven
S
D000818:Animals; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009121:Muscle Denervation; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D037483:Galectin 1; D012333:RNA, Messenger