Control of galectin gene expression

In this review we summarize the available information on the expression of mammalian galectins in normal and transformed cells. From all these studies it is apparent that each cell might express most of galectins; yet, during development or in various differentiation stages or under different physio logical or pathological conditions, one or more galectins are preferentiall y expressed in each cell type. This implies a fine control of gene expressi on and suggests that such control should be coordinated. Nevertheless, to d ate very few studies have been performed on the mechanisms responsible for the regulation of galectin genes. We review the current knowledge on galect in promoter function. We believe that this area of galectin research will e xpand rapidly in the near future. (C) Societe francaise de biochimie et bio logie moleculaire / Elsevier, Paris.