Galectin-7 (LGALS7)

LGALS7, also known as Galectin-7, is a member of the galectins family. The galectins are a family of beta-galactoside-binding proteins. There are at least 14 identified members in this family. Galectins share similarities in the CRD (the carbohydrate recognition domain). They are synthesized as cytosolic proteins. Though localized principally in the cytoplasm and lacking a classical signal peptide, galectins can also be stimulated to secretion by non-classical pathways or alternatively targeted to the nucleus. Galectins are implicated in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. LGALS7 contains 1 galectin domain and is mainly expressed in stratified squamous epithelium. Galectin-7 could be involved in cell-cell and/or cell-matrix interactions necessary for normal growth control. LGALS7 is a pro-apoptotic protein that functions intracellularly upstream of JNK activation and cytochrome c release.

Galectin-7 (LGALS7) Related Areas

Immunology>>Adhesion Molecule>>Lectin>> LGALS7 / Galectin-7

Galectin-7 (LGALS7) Alternative Names

GAL7, LGALS7A, galectin 7, galectin-7 [Homo sapiens]

Galectin-7, Pig1, gal-7, galectin-7 [Mus musculus]

Summaries for Galectin-7 (LGALS7)

Entrez Gene summary for Galectin-7 (LGALS7):

The galectins are a family of beta-galactoside-binding proteins implicated in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Differential and in situ hybridization studies indicate that this lectin is specifically expressed in keratinocytes and found mainly in stratified squamous epithelium. A duplicate copy of this gene (GeneID:653499) is found adjacent to, but on the opposite strand on chromosome 19.

OMIM - description for Galectin-7 (LGALS7):

Galectins belong to a family of related beta-galactoside-binding lectins, also referred to as S-type or S-Lac lectins. Members of this family have been implicated in a variety of functions, including growth regulation, cell adhesion, migration, neoplastic transformation, and immune responses. In addition to galectin-7, the family includes galectin-1 (LGALS1; 150570), also known as galaptin, a homodimer with subunit molecular mass of 14,500, which is abundant in smooth and skeletal muscle, although it is also found in many other cell types; galectin-2 (LGALS2; 150571), a homodimer with a subunit molecular mass of 14,650 originally described in a hepatoma; galectin-3 (LGALS3; 153619), also known as MAC2, that is abundant in activated macrophages and epithelial cells; and galectin-4 (LGALS4; 602518), a monomer with a molecular mass of 36,300 containing 2 carboxyhydrate-binding domains within a single polypeptide chain.

Wikipedia summary for Galectin-7 (LGALS7):

Galectin-7 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the LGALS7 gene. The galectins are a family of beta-galactoside-binding proteins implicated in modulating cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. Differential and in situ hybridizations indicate that this lectin is specifically expressed in keratinocytes. It is expressed at all stages of epidermal differentiation (i.e., in basal and suprabasal layers). It is moderately repressed by retinoic acid. The protein was found mainly in stratified squamous epithelium. The antigen localized to basal keratinocytes, although it was also found, albeit at lower levels, in the suprabasal layers where it concentrated to areas of cell-to-cell contact. The cellular localization and its striking down-regulation in cultured keratinocytes imply a role in cell–cell and/or cell–matrix interactions necessary for normal growth control

Human Galectin-7 (LGALS7) Protein General Information

 

• Protein names: Recommended name: Galectin-7 Short name=Gal-7
• Sequence length: 136 AA.
• Induction: By p53/TP53.
• Sequence similarities: Contains 1 galectin domain.
• Subunit structure: Monomer.
• Subcellular location: Cytoplasm. Nucleus. Secreted Potential. Note: May be secreted by a non-classical secretory pathway.
• Tissue specificity: Mainly expressed in stratified squamous epithelium.

General information above from UniProt

Function for Galectin-7 (LGALS7) Protein

UniProtKB:

Could be involved in cell-cell and/or cell-matrix interactions necessary for normal growth control. Pro-apoptotic protein that functions intracellularly upstream of JNK activation and cytochrome c release.

Genatlas:

• Galectin-7 (LGALS7) is involved in cell-cell and / or cell-matrix interactions necessary for normal growth control
• arterial intima-enriched (AIE) gene, with periplakin, SPRR3, envoplakin, galectin 7, and plakoglobin that are functionally related in that they contribute to the stress properties of stratified epithelium
• Galectin-7 (LGALS7) exhibit a pro-apoptotic function, as a new mitochondrial BCL2 interacting partner