title: Cancer-selective induction of apoptosis by leczyme.
abstract: Sialic acid-binding lectin (SBL) is a multi-functional protein that is isolated from oocytes of Rana catesbeiana. It has both lectin and ribonuclease (enzyme) properties, and therefore is called leczyme. We examined the anti-tumor effects of SBL and discovered that SBL has potential as a new type of anti-cancer drug. SBL causes a cancer-selective induction of apoptosis by multiple signaling pathways whereby RNA is its target. It is suggested that the mitochondrial pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated pathway participate in SBL-induced signaling. The synergistic anti-tumor effects with other molecules, such as tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis ligand and interferon γ, have been reported. In this study, we summarize the effects of SBL and focus on its cancer-selective apoptotic properties. In addition, we present a possible explanation for its cancer specificity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell Recognition Study, Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Pharmaceutical University , Sendai , Japan.
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tatsuta
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell Recognition Study, Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Pharmaceutical University , Sendai , Japan.
authors.forename: Shigeki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sugawara
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell Recognition Study, Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Pharmaceutical University , Sendai , Japan.
authors.forename: Kohta
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Functional Morphology and Microbiology, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Nagasaki International University , Sasebo , Japan.
authors.forename: Yukiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell Recognition Study, Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Pharmaceutical University , Sendai , Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hosono
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell Recognition Study, Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Pharmaceutical University , Sendai , Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nitta
keywords: apoptosis; cancer selectivity; cytotoxic ribonuclease; leczyme; sialic acid-binding lectin