Expression and Localisation of Galectin-3 in Invasive Ductal Breast Carcinoma

Year 2004, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 11 - 15, 01.04.2004

Kamil Seyrek Nil Çulhacı Funda Kargınkıral Ayşegül Bildik Halil İbrahim Saraçoğlu

Abstract

Aim: Galectins are a family of low-molecular weight proteins which have calcium-independent functions such as cell growth, cell activation, cell to cell and cell to matrix adhesion including binding to carcinoembryonic antigens and laminin. Galectin-3 is a member of galectin family with 30-kD -galactoside-binding protein. Although the exact function of the galectin-3 in cancer development is unclear, galectin-3 expression is associated with neoplastic progression and metastatic potential. In this study, the expression and localization of galectin-3 was examined in 16 cases with invasive ductal breast carcinoma. Method: Immunoblot analysis and immunoperoxidase staining was performed using, policlonal antibodies against galectin-3. Results: In immunoblot analysis a single 30-kD band comigrated with the standard marker which contained five different proteins. In immunohistochemical analysis connective tissue, infiltrative tumor cells in connective tissue and ductal epithelial cells were the predominant areas of galectin-3 expression. However, this expression was different in ductal epithelial cells and staining was particularly evident in migrating ductal epithelial cells. Conclusion: Overexpression of galectin-3 in infilrating tumor cells as well as in those present in alveoli lumen has led to the conclusion that galectin-3 could play an important role in breast cancer development.

Keywords

Galectin-3, breast carcinoma, expression, localization, cell migration

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