Galectin-3 regulates desmoglein-2 and intestinal epithelial intercellular adhesion

Abstract

Background: Desmoglein-2 mediates intestinal epithelial intercellular adhesion. Results: Galectin-3 was identified to associate with the ectodomain of desmoglein-2 and inhibit the degradation of desmoglein- 2 and enhance intercellular adhesion. Conclusion: Galectin-3 lattices stabilize desmoglein-2 at the cell surface to regulate intercellular adhesion in intestinal epithelial cells. Significance: This study identifies a novel role of galectin-3 in controlling desmosome structure and function.© 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc. Published in the U.S.A.