Galectin-1 (Gal-1, GAL1), is a member of the galectins, a family of animal lectins ranging from Caenorhabditis elegans to humans, which is defined by their affinity for beta-galactosides and by significant sequence similarity in the carbohydrate-binding site. It is a homodimer with an a subunit molecular mass of 14.5 kDa, which contains six cysteine residues per subunit. The cysteine residues should be in a free state to maintain a molecular structure that is capable of showing lectin activity. This endogenous lectin widely expressed at sites of inflammation and tumor growth has been postulated as an attractive immunosuppressive agent to restore immune cell tolerance and homeostasis in autoimmune and inflammatory settings. On the other hand, galectin-1 contributes to different steps of tumor progression including cell adhesion, migration, and tumor-immune escape, suggesting that blockade of galectin-1 might result in therapeutic benefits in cancer. Several potential glycoprotein ligands for galectin-1 have been identified, including lysosome-associated membrane glycoproteins and fibronectin, laminin, as well as T-cell glycoproteins CD43 and CD45. Evidence points to Gal-1 and its ligands as one of the master regulators of such immune responses as T-cell homeostasis and survival, T-cell immune disorders, inflammation, and allergies as well as host-pathogen interactions.
Galectin-1 (Gal-1, GAL1), is a member of the galectins, a family of animal lectins ranging from Caenorhabditis elegans to humans, which is defined by their affinity for beta-galactosides and by significant sequence similarity in the carbohydrate-binding site. It is a homodimer with a subunit molecular mass of 14.5 kDa, which contains six cysteine residues per subunit. The cysteine residues should be in a free state in order to maintain a molecular structure that is capable of showing lectin activity. This endogenous lectin widely expressed at sites of inflammation and tumour growth, has been postulated as an attractive immunosuppressive agent to restore immune cell tolerance and homeostasis in autoimmune and inflammatory settings. On the other hand, galectin-1 contributes to different steps of tumour progression including cell adhesion, migration and tumour-immune escape, suggesting that blockade of galectin-1 might result in therapeutic benefits in cancer. Several potential glycoprotein ligands for galectin-1 have been identified, including lysosome-associated membrane glycoproteins and fibronectin, laminin, as well as T-cell glycoproteins CD43 and CD45. Evidence points to Gal-1 and its ligands as one of the master regulators of such immune responses as T-cell homeostasis and survival, T-cell immune disorders, inflammation and allergies as well as host-pathogen interactions.
The Galectin family of proteins, with specificity for Nacetyllactosaminecontaining glycoproteins, consists of beta-galactoside binding lectins containing homologous carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs). They also possess hemagglutination activity, which is attributable to their bivalent carbohydrate binding properties. Galectins are active both intracellularly and extracellularly. Although they are localized primarily in the cytoplasm and lack a classical signal peptide, galectins can also be secreted by one or more unidentified, non-classical, secretory pathways. They have diverse effects on many cellular functions including adhesion, migration, polarity, chemotaxis, proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Galectins may therefore play a key role in many pathological states, including autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, inflammation, tumor cell metastasis, atherosclerosis, and diabetic complications. The galectins have been classified into the prototype galectins(1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14), which contain one CRD and exist either as a monomer or a noncovalent homodimer. The chimera galectins(Galectin3) containing one CRD linked to a nonlectin domain, and the tandemrepeat Galectins(4, 6, 8, 9, 12) consisting of two CRDs joined by a linker peptide.Galectins lack a classical signal peptide and can be localized to the cytosolic compartments where they have intracellular functions. However, via one or more as yet unidentified nonclassical secretory pathways, galectins can also be secreted to function extracellularly.
Catalyzes the phosphorylation of hexose, such as D-glucose, D-fructose and D-mannose, to hexose 6-phosphate (D-glucose 6-phosphate, D-fructose 6-phosphate and D-mannose 6-phosphate, respectively) (PubMed:6477520, PubMed:12513690, PubMed:24187134). Compared to other hexokinases, has a weak affinity for D-glucose, and is effective only when glucose is abundant (PubMed:6477520). Mainly expressed in pancreatic beta cells and the liver and constitutes a rate-limiting step in glucose metabolism in these tissues (By similarity). Since insulin secretion parallels glucose metabolism and the low glucose affinity of GCK ensures that it can change its enzymatic activity within the physiological range of glucose concentrations, GCK acts as a glucose sensor in the pancreatic beta cell (By similarity). In pancreas, plays an important role in modulating insulin secretion (By similarity). In liver, helps to facilitate the uptake and conversion of glucose by acting as an insulin-sensitive determinant of hepatic glucose usage (By similarity). Required to provide D-glucose 6-phosphate for the synthesis of glycogen (By similarity). Mediates the initial step of glycolysis by catalyzing phosphorylation of D-glucose to D-glucose 6-phosphate (PubMed:6477520, PubMed:12513690).
Glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) Family Receptor Alpha 1 (GFRA1) is a member of the GDNF receptor family. It is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked cell surface receptor for both GDNF and NTN, and mediates activation of the RET tyrosine kinase receptor. GFRA1 is a potent survival factor for central and peripheral neurons, and is essential for the development of kidneys and the enteric nervous system. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurturin (NTN) are its binding ligand which are two structurally related, potent neurotrophic factors that play key roles in the control of neuron survival and differentiation. GDNF promotes the formation of a physical complex between GFRA/GDNFRa and the orphan tyrosin kinase receptor Ret, thereby inducing its tyrosine phosphorylation. The RET is a receptor tyrosine kinase representing the signal-transducing molecule of a multisubunit surface receptor complex for the GDNF, in which GFRA / GDNFRa acts as the ligand-binding component. GDNF, a distantly related member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-â) superfamily, and its receptor components: GFRA1, Ret and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) have been recently reported to be expressed in the testis and to be involved in the proliferation regulation of immature Sertoli cells.
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