In the present work, we have shown that: 1) a mutation at position 74 inhibited translocation of gal-7 to the mitochondria and the nucleus, sequestering gal-7 to the cytosolic compartment; 2) such decrease of gal-7 expression in the nucleus and mitochondria does not impair the ability of gal-7 to drug-induced apoptosis; in fact, the R74S mutant protected even more cells from apoptosis induced by anti-cancer drugs, and 3) sequestration of gal-7 to the cytosol impaired the translocation of p53 to the nucleus and the upregulation of p21. This evidence concerns the gene CDKN1A and cancer.