Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
11:21
Bioinformatics Resources for the Study of Glycan-Mediated Protein Interactions
Published on: January 20, 2022
The galectin family and digestive disease
1Department of Pathology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
The Journal of Pathology
|March 13, 2008
Summary
Galectins, a protein family, are crucial in digestive tract cancers and inflammatory bowel diseases. Further research on galectin expression and ligands may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
Background:
- Galectins are a protein family defined by their affinity for beta-galactose-containing oligosaccharides.
- They play roles in cell adhesion, growth regulation, signaling, and cytokine secretion.
- Fifteen mammalian galectins are known, with potential for more discoveries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on galectin expression and function in the digestive tract.
- To explore the role of galectins in gastrointestinal malignancies and inflammatory bowel diseases.
- To highlight potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications of galectins.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of galectin research in the digestive tract.
- Analysis of galectin involvement in colorectal cancers and inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Synthesis of current data on galectin expression and function.
Main Results:
- Galectins are implicated in the development and progression of digestive tract cancers, particularly colorectal cancers.
- Emerging evidence links galectins to inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Galectin expression and function vary across the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon.
Conclusions:
- Galectins represent promising targets for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in gastrointestinal disorders.
- Standardization of galectin expression evaluation and prospective validation are crucial for clinical translation.
- Further research is needed to fully realize the potential of galectins in managing digestive tract diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Glucose Transporters
Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
01:50What is Monogastric Digestion?
The human body contains a monogastric digestive system. In a monogastric digestive system, the stomach only contains one chamber in which it digests food. Several other animal species also have monogastric digestive systems, including pigs, horses, dogs, and birds. This chapter, however, focuses on the human digestive system.
01:05Proteoglycans
Glycans, a class of complex heterogeneous molecules, can be covalently attached to proteins to form glycosylated proteins that regulate various physiological and pathological processes. Glycosylated proteins or glycoproteins comprise N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides. O-glycosylation is the most common type of protein glycosylation. Here, glycans attach to the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl groups of Serine or Threonine residues. O-linked glycosylation occurs later in protein processing,...
01:25Regulation of the Digestive System
Digestive activity regulation hinges on three primary components. Activation is prompted by a multitude of mechanical and chemical indicators, primarily detected by receptors within the stomach and intestines' walls. These receptors predominantly respond to factors such as mechanical stretching of the organ walls, changes in pH and osmolarity, and the presence of digesting materials and their by-products.
The effectors in this regulation system are glands and smooth muscles. Activation of these...
The effectors in this regulation system are glands and smooth muscles. Activation of these...
01:25Selectins
Cell adhesion is an essential aspect of multicellularity. While stable cell interactions usually occur between cells of the same type, transient cell interactions occur between cells of different tissue types, such as between neutrophils and endothelial cells. Selectins are one class of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that bind carbohydrate ligands to form transient cell adhesion. They are rod-like proteins with a long extracellular part of variable length ending with the lectin domain, which...
01:28Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...