Background/Aims: Galectin-3 is an interesting intracellular lectin that appears to be involved in numerous physiological processes. We have analyzed expression of galectin-3 in glioblastoma cells exposed to heat-shock, alkylating agents, UV-C radiation and subculturing (trypsinization).Methods: Protein levels of galectin-3 were measured by western-blot analysis using M3/38 monoclonal antibody. The involvement of transcription factors NF-κB and Jun in the induction of galectin-3 was addressed using specific inhibitor of NF-κB (zL3-vs) and antisense-jun oligonucleotides.Results: Exposure of cells to heat-shock or subculturing (trypsinization) decreased levels of galectin-3 to approximately 50%. Alkylating damage and UV-C irradiation caused an increase in the expression of galectin-3. Both inhibition of Jun by antisense-jun oligonucleotides, and inhibition of NF-κB by specific proteasomal inhibitor attenuated the induction of galectin-3 by UV-light, but with somewhat different kinetics.Conclusions: We have found that different forms of cellular stress have different effects on the expression of galectin-3. Heat-shock and subculturing decrease, while alkylating agents and UV-light increase galectin 3. NF-κB and Jun were shown to be involved in the induction of galectin-3 by UV-light, which is a first demonstration that these transcriptional factors are involved in the regulation of galectin-3 expression.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.