Open Access

Galectin-3 as a novel biomarker for disease diagnosis and a target for therapy (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Rui Dong
    • Min Zhang
    • Qunying Hu
    • Shan Zheng
    • Andrew Soh
    • Yijie Zheng
    • Hui Yuan
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 5, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2017.3311
  • Pages: 599-614
  • Copyright: © Dong et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Galectin-3 is a member of the galectin family, which are β‑galactoside‑binding lectins with ≥1 evolutionary conserved carbohydrate‑recognition domain. It binds proteins in a carbohydrate‑dependent and ‑independent manner. Galectin‑3 is predominantly located in the cytoplasm; however, it shuttles into the nucleus and is secreted onto the cell surface and into biological fluids including serum and urine. It serves important functions in numerous biological activities including cell growth, apoptosis, pre‑mRNA splicing, differentiation, transformation, angiogenesis, inflammation, fibrosis and host defense. Numerous previous studies have indicated that galectin‑3 may be used as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker for certain types of heart disease, kidney disease and cancer. With emerging evidence to support the function and application of galectin‑3, the current review aims to summarize the latest literature regarding the biomarker characteristics and potential therapeutic application of galectin‑3 in associated diseases.
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February-2018
Volume 41 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Dong R, Zhang M, Hu Q, Zheng S, Soh A, Zheng Y and Yuan H: Galectin-3 as a novel biomarker for disease diagnosis and a target for therapy (Review). Int J Mol Med 41: 599-614, 2018.
APA
Dong, R., Zhang, M., Hu, Q., Zheng, S., Soh, A., Zheng, Y., & Yuan, H. (2018). Galectin-3 as a novel biomarker for disease diagnosis and a target for therapy (Review). International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 41, 599-614. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2017.3311
MLA
Dong, R., Zhang, M., Hu, Q., Zheng, S., Soh, A., Zheng, Y., Yuan, H."Galectin-3 as a novel biomarker for disease diagnosis and a target for therapy (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 41.2 (2018): 599-614.
Chicago
Dong, R., Zhang, M., Hu, Q., Zheng, S., Soh, A., Zheng, Y., Yuan, H."Galectin-3 as a novel biomarker for disease diagnosis and a target for therapy (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 41, no. 2 (2018): 599-614. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2017.3311