The Role of Galectin-3 in the Interactions Between Breast Carcinoma Cells and Elastin
Abstract
The thrust of the work that has been done for this reporting period, is that elastin has the capacity to induce the growth of breast carcinoma cells which express galectin-3. The data suggest that elastin interacts with the cells via galectin-3 on the cell surface. Elastin was also found to be a chemoattractant for breast carcinoma cells which express galectin-3 and hence there exists an elastin-galectin-3 chemotaxis signaling pathway. Elastin and galectin-3 bind with micromolar affinities comparable to binding affinities between galectin-3 and asialofetuin or polylactosamine residues. Overall in the 3 years that I have been funded, we have clearly demonstrated that the interaction of breast carcinoma cells with elastin, is not just a coincidence but has far reaching physiological implications that require a more rigorous study. I have currently assembled a team of molecular biologist and molecular biophycists/chemists to address this important question. If we can fully understand the role of galectin-3 in the interactions between breast carcinoma cells and elastin, then we will be able to halt the growth of breast metastatic tumors in the lung.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA410602
Entities
People
- Josiah Ochieng
- Pavel Lukyanov
- Vyacheslav Furtak
Organizations
- Meharry Medical College