Figure 9. Model for Gal-3-induced T cell apoptosis.
The interaction of Gal-3 with cell surface death receptors activates ERK via ROS and PKC. The death signal is then conveyed from ERK to caspase-9 that activates caspase-3 and the downstream pathways that ultimately result in cell apoptosis. As with full length Gal-3, the truncated G13-250 variant can activate both pathways, whereas the G69-250 variant can only activate the PKC pathway. The G111-250 and G1-108 variants were unable to activate both pathways.