Galectin-3 Regulates Smooth Muscle Contraction and Blood Pressure by Modulating Ca(V)1.2 Channel Function.

Galectin-3 enhances CaV1.2 channel activity and blood pressure, with blocking peptides reducing hypertension by over 35% in rat models.

• Why it matters: Hypertension involves dysregulated calcium channel activity, but the molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood, limiting targeted therapies for blood pressure control.
• What they did: The study used molecular, biochemical, electrophysiological, and in vivo approaches in cells, mice, rats, and humans to investigate Gal-3's role in modulating CaV1.2 channels, including peptide interventions.
• The result: Gal-3 binds to CaV1.2, increasing its surface expression and activity, contributing to hypertension; blocking this interaction with peptides significantly lowers blood pressure, suggesting new therapeutic avenues.