Fig. 4
From: Galectins and galectin-mediated autophagy regulation: new insights into targeted cancer therapy
Galectins are involved in autophagy regulation in tumors. A Shikonin induces ROS accumulation and dimerization of Gal-1 in human colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting the degradation of autophagolysosomes. B In hepatoma microenvironment, secreted Gal-1 binds to hepatoma cells and triggers autophagic flux via inhibiting AKT-mTOR activities. Gal-1-induced autophagy can target damaged mitochondria to reduce both mitochondrial membrane potential loss and cell death under cisplatin treatment. C Gal-3 acts as a negative regulator of autophagy in melanoma cells. Gal-3 inhibition increases autolysosome formation and resistance of melanoma cells to vemurafenib. D Gal-3 is upregulated under nutrient deprivation and hypoxia in pancreatic cancer which enhances the autophagic flux in tumor cells. E In KRASmut colorectal cancer (CRC), rLGALS9 acts as a lysosomal inhibitor and inhibits autophagosome-lysosome fusion, leading to autophagosome accumulation, excessive lysosomal swelling and cell death