14q22.3

CBP35,GAL3,GALBP,GALIG,L31,LGALS2,MAC2

Various cancers

Over-expression of galectin-3 was reported in the metastatic cell lines compared to their non-metastatic counterparts. Galectin-3 concentrations were significantly higher in the serum of patients with melanoma and breast cancer compared to the normal controls. In the tumor tissues, upregulation and/or redistribution of galectin-3 was shown in thyroid, colon, breast, gastric, prostate, melanoma and head and neck cancers, however, the data in some cases are not consistent (Dumic et al., 2006; Yang et al., 2008). Recently, it was reported in breast and prostate cancer that after cleavage by Matrix metalloproteases galectin-3 is not recognized by the commonly used monoclonal antibody TIB166 (Nangia-Makker et al., 2007; Wang et al., 2009), which could explain some of the discrepancy in the earlier reports.

Autoimmune disease

Galectin-3 plays a role in pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. Endogenous protein promotes inflammatory response in asthma, pharmacological application of galectin-3 might suppress it (del Pozo et al., 2002; Zuberi et al., 2004), thus opening a new approach for future treatment of the disease. In Crohns disease and systemic lupus, erythematosus and polymyositis/dermatomyositis anti-galectin-3 auto-antibodies were identified (Jensen-Jarolim et al., 2001; Lim et al., 2002). In sera and synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, galectin-3 level was found to be elevated (Ohshima et al., 2003).

Galectin-3 is differentially expressed in thyroid carcinoma compared with benign and normal thyroid specimens, suggesting that Galectin-3 is a good diagnostic marker for thyroid cancer (Chiu et al., 2010).

Galectin-3 is not an oncogene, but helps in cancer progression once it is initiated.