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Human galectin-8 isoforms and cancer

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Abstract

Galectins are animal lectins that can specifically bind β-galactosides. Thirteen galectins have already been described. This review focuses on a specific member of this family: galectin-8. This galectin was discovered in prostate cancer cells eight years ago and has been studied extensively in the last few years. The galectin-8 gene (LGALS8) encodes numerous mRNAs by alternate splicing and the presence of three unusual polyadenylation signals. These mRNAs encode six different isoforms of galectin-8: three belong to the tandem-repeat galectin group (with two CRDs linked by a hinge peptide) and three to the prototype group (with one CRD). Various studies showed that galectin-8 is widely expressed in tumor tissues as well as in normal tissues. The level of galectin-8 expression may correlate with the malignancy of human colon cancers and the degree of differentiation of lung squamous cell carcinomas and neuro-endocrine tumors. Recently, the differences in galectin-8 expression levels between normal and tumor tissues have been used as a guide for the selection of strategies for the prevention and treatment of lung squamous cell carcinoma. These experiments are still under investigation, but demonstrate the potential of galectin-8 research to enhance our understanding of, and possibly prevent, the process of neoplastic transformation. Published in 2004.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département de Médecine Nucléaire, UPRES EA 1794, Centre Eugène Marquis, CS 44229, 35042, Rennes Cedex, France

    Nathalie Bidon-Wagner

  2. LBCM, UPRES EA 2594, Université de Bretagne Sud, 56017, Vannes Cedex, France

    Nathalie Bidon-Wagner & Jean-Paul Le Pennec

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  1. Nathalie Bidon-Wagner
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  2. Jean-Paul Le Pennec
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Correspondence to Jean-Paul Le Pennec.

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Bidon-Wagner, N., Le Pennec, JP. Human galectin-8 isoforms and cancer. Glycoconj J 19, 557–563 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:GLYC.0000014086.38343.98

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:GLYC.0000014086.38343.98

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