Work

Engineering Coil-Coiled Domains for the Design of Modular Theranostic Agents: Galectin-3 as a Targeting Moiety

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide To generate drug-targeting agents with a modular and efficient design for disease treatments, including cancer, we used protein coil-coiled dimerization motifs to eliminate the need for chemical conjugation techniques, generating a versatile theranostic system: a targeting moiety genetically fused to an E 3 coil and a fusion protein of maltose-binding protein and a monomeric streptavidin that includes a K 3 coil. The system can be directed to other targets by changing the targeting moiety. The second component enables simultaneous binding to two different ligands (maltosylated or biotinylated). We tested the system using a truncated human Galectin-3 as the targeting moiety, which binds to β-galactoside-containing oligosaccharides overexpressed on the plasma membranes of tumor cells, and biotinylated doxorubicin as the cargo molecule. In vitro experiments using cell lines that express or do not express Galectin-3 ligands and in vivo mouse xenografts demonstrated the system’s capability, specificity, and flexibility.

Source: Biomacromolecules

DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.6c00502

Authors: Chiara Burgio, Maria D. Giron, Mariano Ortega-Muñoz, Daniel Lucena, Rafael Salto

Institutions: Universidad de Granada, Biotechnology Institute

Language: English

Topic: Galectins and Cancer Biology

Subfield: Immunology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500