{"title":"Galectin-3 in metabolic disorders: mechanisms and therapeutic potential.","authors":"Qian Jiang, Qijin Zhao, Pingping Li","doi":"10.1016/j.molmed.2024.11.006","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Galectin-3 (Gal3), a β-galactoside-binding lectin, is expressed predominantly in immunological and inflammatory cells. Gal3 expression is elevated in metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and plays an important role in the progression of these diseases. In this review, we summarize the structure and post-translational modifications of Gal3 and the cellular functions of Gal3 according to its subcellular localization. We focused on the pathological functions and molecular mechanisms of Gal3 in various cell types. In particular, extracellular Gal3 and intracellular Gal3 may have different physiological and pathological functions. We also discuss promising Gal3 inhibitors or antibodies that are currently in clinical trials and outstanding questions and challenges for future pursuit.</p>","PeriodicalId":23263,"journal":{"name":"Trends in molecular medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.8000,"publicationDate":"2024-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Trends in molecular medicine","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmed.2024.11.006","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Galectin-3 (Gal3), a β-galactoside-binding lectin, is expressed predominantly in immunological and inflammatory cells. Gal3 expression is elevated in metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and plays an important role in the progression of these diseases. In this review, we summarize the structure and post-translational modifications of Gal3 and the cellular functions of Gal3 according to its subcellular localization. We focused on the pathological functions and molecular mechanisms of Gal3 in various cell types. In particular, extracellular Gal3 and intracellular Gal3 may have different physiological and pathological functions. We also discuss promising Gal3 inhibitors or antibodies that are currently in clinical trials and outstanding questions and challenges for future pursuit.
期刊介绍:
Trends in Molecular Medicine (TMM) aims to offer concise and contextualized perspectives on the latest research advancing biomedical science toward better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human diseases. It focuses on research at the intersection of basic biology and clinical research, covering new concepts in human biology and pathology with clear implications for diagnostics and therapy. TMM reviews bridge the gap between bench and bedside, discussing research from preclinical studies to patient-enrolled trials. The major themes include disease mechanisms, tools and technologies, diagnostics, and therapeutics, with a preference for articles relevant to multiple themes. TMM serves as a platform for discussion, pushing traditional boundaries and fostering collaboration between scientists and clinicians. The journal seeks to publish provocative and authoritative articles that are also accessible to a broad audience, inspiring new directions in molecular medicine to enhance human health.