DESIGN OF ALLOSTERIC INHIBITORS OF GALECTIN-1 CARBOHYDRATE BINDING.

摘要

Galectins are a family of lectins with a conserved carbohydrate-recognition domain, that were identified for their propensity to bind galactosides. Depending on cell type and state of cell differentiation, galectins can be found in the nucleus, cytoplasm, on the cell surface, or within the extracellular matrix. By binding to glycoconjugates on cells, galectins mediate cell adhesion and migration. Consequently, they are important regulators of these processes, and are involved in a number of pathological disorders (e.g., 1). Galectin-1 (Gal-1) in particular is an important regulator of angiogenesis and tumorogenesis, and the inhibition of angiogenesis has become a promising avenue for cancer treatment, and as such, galectins in general have become attractive targets for the development of anti-angiogenesis and anti-cancer agents.