Expression, Regulation, and Functions of the Galectin-16 Gene in Human Cells and Tissues

Galectins comprise a family of soluble β-galactoside-binding proteins, which regulate a variety of key biological processes including cell growth, differentiation, survival, and death. This paper aims to address the current knowledge on the unique properties, regulation, and expression of the galectin-16 gene (LGALS16) in human cells and tissues. To date, there are limited studies on this galectin, with most focusing on its tissue specificity to the placenta. Here, we report the expression and 8-Br-cAMP-induced upregulation of LGALS16 in two placental cell lines (BeWo and JEG-3) in the context of trophoblastic differentiation. In addition, we provide the results of a bioinformatics search for LGALS16 using datasets available at GEO, Human Protein Atlas, and prediction tools for relevant transcription factors and miRNAs. Our findings indicate that LGALS16 is detected by microarrays in diverse human cells/tissues and alters expression in association with cancer, diabetes, and brain diseases. Molecular mechanisms of the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of LGALS16 are also discussed based on the available bioinformatics resources.