Galectin

Galectin inhibitors target galectins, animal lectins that bind β-galactoside sugars on glycoproteins. Each galectin carries at least one conserved carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD), which recognizes lactose and N-acetyllactosamine units in glycans. By cross-linking glycoproteins, galectins influence cell adhesion, immune cell signaling, fibrosis and tumor progression. Galectin-1 and galectin-3 are the family members most studied with small molecules. Many inhibitors mimic the natural sugar ligands, from the disaccharide thiodigalactoside to synthetic galectin-3 ligands such as GB1107 and selvigaltin. Belapectin is a complex plant-derived polysaccharide studied as a galectin-3 inhibitor. OTX008, a calixarene derivative, is listed as a galectin-1 inhibitor.