Gal-3 Protein Expression and Localization in Prostate Tumours

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) contributes to cell survival, mRNA splicing, and cell–cell as well as cell–matrix interactions, with effects that may vary by cellular localization and cancer type. Given Gal-3’s diagnostic potential in urine for prostate cancer (PCa) identified previously, this study assessed Gal-3 immunohistochemically in tumour, normal, and adjacent-normal prostate tissues. Tumour tissues showed decreased Gal-3 staining and altered cellular localization, with predominant nuclear exclusion, while no significant links to progression, survival, or relapse were observed, supporting Gal-3 as a diagnostic marker.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

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Introduction

Galectins and Gal-3 background

Abstract

Study aim and methods

Key findings

Article Gal-3 Protein Expression and Localization in Prostate Tumours T¥nia Lima 1,2, *, Catarina Macedo-Silva 2,3, Diana Felizardo 2,4, Jo¢o Fraga 4, Isa Carneiro 4, Carmen Jerânimo 2,3,5, Rui Henrique 2,3,4,5, Margarida Fardilha 1 and Rui Vitorino 1,6,7 Citation: Lima, T.; Macedo-Silva, C.; Felizardo, D.; Fraga, J.; Carneiro, I.; Jerónimo, C.; Henrique, R.; Fardilha, M.; Vitorino, R. Gal-3 Protein Expression and Localization in Prostate Tumours. Curr. Oncol. 2023, 30, 2729–2742. [https://doi.org/](https://doi.org/)[ ](https://doi.org/)[10.3390/curroncol30030206](10.3390/curroncol30030206) Received: 9 February 2023 Revised: 14 February 2023 Accepted: 20 February 2023 Published: 23 February 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . 1 Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine-iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal 2 Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal 3 Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal 4 Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal 5 Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-513 Porto, Portugal 6 UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal 7 LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal * Correspondence: [tanialima@ua.pt](tanialima@ua.pt) Abstract: Gal-3 plays an important role in cell survival, mRNA splicing, and cell–cell and cell– matrix interactions. Depending on its cellular localization and cancer type, Gal-3 may have tumoursuppressive or tumour-promoting activities. Given the promising diagnostic role of Gal-3 in the urine of PCa patients found in our previous study, its concordant gene and protein expression levels, and its involvement in PCa-related biological processes (e.g., morphogenesis of the prostate gland epithelium), we aimed to investigate this protein immunohistochemically in tumour and normal prostate tissues. Gal-3 protein expression was evaluated in 48 tumour prostate tissues, eight normal prostate tissues and 14 adjacent-normal prostate tissues. Decreased Gal-3 staining was detected in tumour tissues compared with normal tissues. Although Gal-3 staining was decreased in tumour tissues with GS 5-8 and pT2 and pT3 stages compared with normal prostate tissue, no correlation was found between Gal-3 expression and PCa progression. In the present study, the pattern of cellular localization differed between groups, as Gal-3 was predominantly excluded from the nucleus in tumour tissues. Furthermore, Gal-3 had no signiﬁcant effect on survival and relapse in these PCa patients. This work conﬁrms Gal-3 as a promising marker for PCa diagnosis. Keywords: Galectin-3; prostate tissue; marker; prostate cancer; localization; patient survival 1. Introduction Galectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins, with 􀀌-galactoside binding activity and conserved carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRDs) . Galectins have a broad spectrum of biological activity, namely in inﬂammation, immune response, apoptosis, cell survival, growth, adhesion, and migration. To date, 15 galectins are known, numbered according to the date of discovery, and classiﬁed into three groups according to the organization of CRDs: the prototype group with only one CRD (Galectins-1, -2, -5, -7, -10, -13, -14, and-15), the tandem repeats group with two CRDs (Galecti

FAQs

What was the goal of investigating Gal-3 in prostate tissues?

To examine Gal-3 protein immunohistochemically in tumour and normal prostate tissues, building on prior evidence of Gal-3’s diagnostic value in PCa urine and related gene/protein expression concordance.

How did Gal-3 staining differ between tumour and normal prostate tissues?

Gal-3 staining decreased in tumour tissues compared with normal tissues, including reduced staining associated with certain GS and pT stages versus normal tissue.

Did Gal-3 expression correlate with prostate cancer progression or patient outcomes?

No correlation was found between Gal-3 expression and PCa progression, and Gal-3 showed no significant effect on survival and relapse in the studied PCa patients.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick