title: The Role of Galectin-1 in Cancer Progression, and Synthetic Multivalent Systems for the Study of Galectin-1.
abstract: This review discusses the role of galectin-1 in the tumor microenvironment. First, the structure and function of galectin-1 are discussed. Galectin-1, a member of the galectin family of lectins, is a functionally dimeric galactoside-binding protein. Although galectin-1 has both intracellular and extracellular functions, the defining carbohydrate-binding role occurs extracellularly. In this review, the extracellular roles of galectin-1 in cancer processes are discussed. In particular, the importance of multivalent interactions in galectin-1 mediated cellular processes is reviewed. Multivalent interactions involving galectin-1 in cellular adhesion, mobility and invasion, tumor-induced angiogenesis, and apoptosis are presented. Although the mechanisms of action of galectin-1 in these processes are still not well understood, the overexpression of galectin-1 in cancer progression indicates that the role of galectin-1 is significant. To conclude this review, synthetic frameworks that have been used to modulate galectin-1 processes are reviewed. Small molecule oligomers of carbohydrates, carbohydrate-functionalized pseudopolyrotaxanes, cyclodextrins, calixarenes, and glycodendrimers are presented. These synthetic multivalent systems serve as important tools for studying galectin-1 mediated cancer cellular functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA. jonathanmcousin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cousin
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA. mcloninger@chemistry.montana.edu.
authors.forename: Mary J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cloninger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D003505:Cyclodextrins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D043862:Rotaxanes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment
chemical_list: D003505:Cyclodextrins; D050091:Dendrimers; D037483:Galectin 1; D043862:Rotaxanes; C475674:pseudopolyrotaxane; D020442:Poloxamer
keywords: dendrimer; galectin-1; galectins; glycodendrimer; multivalent