Abstract: Objective To prepare recombinant human Galectin-1(rhGalectin-1) and study its role in promoting autophagy of damaged neurons. Methods Plasmid of pEGX-4T-1-Galectin-1 was constructed by PCR and then transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3). SK-N-SH cells treated with rotenone and pretreated with or without rhGalectin-1. LC3 II and p62 levels were tested by Western blot.. Results Galectin-1 reduces the toxic effects of rotenone on SK-N-SH cells. After treatment of SK-N-SH cells with rotenone , the decrease in autophagy levels was observed by a decrease in LC3 II levels and an increase in p62 levels. In the Galectin-1 pretreatment group, the autophagy level increased significantly, the level of LC3 II increased and the level of p62 decreased. When the autophagy blocker bafilomycin was used, the level of LC3 II in the Galectin-1 pretreatment group increased, indicating that Galectin-1 promoted the autophagy level of injured SK-N-SH neurons. Conclusions rhGalectin-1 can promote the autophagy response of injured neurons, which may play an important role in the toxicity resistance process of neurons.

Key words: Key words: Galectin-1, protein purification, neuron, rotenone, Autophagy