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Potential directions for drug development against galectin-7 in cancer
Yves St-Pierre1, Katherine Biron-Pain, Carole Campion
1INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, 531 Boul. Des Prairies, Laval, Québec, Canada, H7V 1B7 +1 450 686 5354 ; +1 450 686 5501 ; yves.st-pierre@iaf.inrs.ca.
Background:
Galectins are a family of proteins defined by having at least one characteristic carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) with an affinity for beta-galactosides. Over the recent years, with a better understanding of their role in normal and pathological conditions, they have emerged as promising diagnostic and therapeutic targets in cancer. Whereas most of these studies have focused on galectin-1 and galectin-3, very little attention has been paid to galectin-7, a member of the family that has recently been associated with various forms of cancer.
Objective:
We review the role of galectin-7 in cancer and examine the possible directions that could be exploited to inhibit its role in cancer on the basis of recently identified galectin ligands.
Conclusion:
Although efforts have been made to develop drugs aimed at inhibiting the cancer-promoting propensity of galectins, most of these inhibitors were specific for the CRD region of the molecule and have focused on extracellular functions of galectins. However, galectins may also be involved in protein-protein interactions, most notably in the nucleus. As galectin-7 is expressed in the cytoplasm and the nucleus in cancer cells, it will be important to investigate its nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and how putative drugs will affect its functions in cancer.
Insights
Galectin-7 is increasingly linked to various cancers. Further research into its nuclear functions and targeted inhibition strategies is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Galectins are proteins with carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs) that bind beta-galactosides.
- Galectins are emerging as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in cancer.
- Galectin-7, unlike galectin-1 and galectin-3, has received limited research attention despite its association with various cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of galectin-7 in cancer.
- To explore potential therapeutic strategies for inhibiting galectin-7 in cancer.
- To examine novel galectin ligands for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of galectin-7's role in cancer.
- Analysis of existing and emerging galectin-7 inhibitors.
- Discussion of galectin-7's intracellular functions and localization.
Main Results:
- Galectin-7 is implicated in various cancer types.
- Current inhibitors primarily target the CRD and extracellular functions.
- Galectin-7 exhibits cytoplasmic and nuclear localization in cancer cells.
Conclusions:
- Inhibiting galectin-7's cancer-promoting functions requires novel strategies beyond CRD targeting.
- Understanding galectin-7's nucleocytoplasmic trafficking is essential for drug development.
- Future research should focus on the nuclear roles of galectin-7 and its interactions.
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