Expression and immunohistochemical localization of galectin-3 in various-mouse tissues

The expression and immunohistochemical localization of galectin-3, a beta-galactoside-binding protein, was studied in several mouse tissues. Galectin-3 expression was low in the cerebrum, heart, and pancreas, and moderate in the liver, ileum, kidney, and adrenal gland. High expression of gallectin-3 was found in the lung, spleen, stomach, colon, uterus, and ovary. The results of Western blot analysis largely matched the immunohistochemical findings for galectin-3. These findings suggest that galectin-3 is differentially expressed in a variety of organs in the mouse. This study provides valuable information for research on galectin-3. (c) 2006 International Federation for Cell Biology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.