Galectin-3 internal gene (GALIG) (GALIG)

GALIG (Galectin-3 internal gene) is a unique internal gene located within the second intron of the human galectin-3 (LGALS3) gene [1, 3]. It is characterized by two overlapping reading frames that encode two distinct proteins, mitogaligin and cytogaligin, which are functionally unrelated to galectin-3 [1, 3]. Mitogaligin is a mitochondrial-targeted protein that promotes the release of cytochrome c and induces apoptosis by interacting with cardiolipin [1, 35]. Cytogaligin is found in the cytosol, nucleus, and extracellular space, where it has been shown to interact with alpha-synuclein and potentially modulate its aggregation in Parkinson's disease [26]. GALIG is primarily expressed in peripheral blood leukocytes and is tightly regulated, with its down-regulation observed in acute myeloid leukemia and its up-regulation associated with cell death [1, 47]. As a potent inducer of apoptosis, GALIG is considered a promising therapeutic target in oncology, particularly for sensitizing cancer cells to treatment [7, 30]. Research is also exploring its role in viral infections like HIV-1 and its potential as a biomarker for disease severity in conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea [24, 47].

Other names

LGALS3 internal geneGalectin-3 internal gene

Induction of apoptosis via mitogaligin-mediated cytochrome c release from mitochondria; modulation of alpha-synuclein aggregation via cytogaligin interaction.