Galectins as Intracellular Regulators of Cellular Responses through the Detection of Damaged Endocytic Vesicles

Galectins are beta-galactoside-recognizing animal lectins distributed both extracellularly and intracellularly. Extracellular galectins can recognize cell surface carbohydrates and initiate cellular responses. Intracellular galectins can control cellular functions independently of carbohydrate recognition. Recently, studies have suggested that intracellular galectins accumulate around damaged endocytic vesicles through the recognition of host glycans exposed to the cytosol, and accumulated galectins further mediate cellular responses. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying how intracellular galectins regulate cellular responses through the recognition of glycans in damaged endocytic vesicles.