title: Galectin-3--a jack-of-all-trades in cancer.
abstract: Galectin-3 is a mammalian β-galactoside-binding protein that is expressed by various types of human cells. Changes in galectin-3 expression and subcellular and intercellular localizations are commonly seen in cancer and pre-cancerous conditions. It is increasingly recognized that galectin-3 is an important regulator of a broad range of cancer cell activities and plays important roles in cancer cell growth, transformation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, adhesion, invasion and metastasis. Such a divergent influence of galectin-3 on cancer cell activities derives from its multiple inter- and sub-cellular localizations where it interacts with a range of different binding partners. This mini-review summaries the diverse influences of galectin-3 on cancer cell behaviours with particular emphasis on its role in tumorigenesis and metastasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK.
authors.forename: Anna U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Newlaczyl
authors.forename: Lu-Gang
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D037502:Galectin 3