Inhibition mechanism of human galectin-7 by a novel galactose-benzylphosphate inhibitor.

ABSTRACT: Galectins are involved in many cellular processes due to their ability to bind carbohydrates. Understanding their functions has shown the necessity for potent and specific galectin inhibitors. Human galectin-7 (hGal-7), in particular, has been highlighted as an important marker in many types of cancer by either inhibiting or promoting tumour growth. Producing ligands able to selectively target hGal-7 will offer promising tools for deciphering cancer processes in which hGal-7 is involved as well as present potential solutions for future therapeutics. Here we report the high resolution crystal structure of hGal-7 in complex with a synthetic 2-O-benzylphosphate-galactoside inhibitor (which is > 60-fold more potent than its parent galactoside). The high resolution crystallographic analysis hig

SUBMITTER: Masuyer G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3328751 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature