Galectin

Function

Galectin (GAL) are lectins which bind β-galactosidase (BGAL). GAL contains a carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) residues 113-250^[1].

• GAL-1 is thought to play a role as autocrine negative growth factor that regulates cell proliferation.
  
• GAL-2 is expressed primarily in gastrointestinal tract.
  
• GAL-3 has broad biological functionality.
  
• GAL-4 has 2 CRDs.
  
• GAL-5 is found in rat is a β-galactoside binding lectin^[2].
  
• GAL-7 is associated with epithelial cells.
  
• GAL-8 has a role in cellular defense against bacterial infection and vacuolar damage.
  
• GAL-9 affects eosinophil survival.
  
• GAL-10 or Charcot-Leyden crystal protein acts on biological membranes to regulate the multifunctional lysophospholipids.
  
• GAL-13 is a placental protein which does not bind β-galactosides.
  

Relevance

GAL are known to inhibit chronic inflammation^[3]. GAL-3 has a role in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and melanoma methastasis^[4].

Structural highlights

The CRD is a β-sandwich long enough to bind a tetrasaccharide. A ^[5]. Water molecules shown as red spheres.