View source for Galectin

<StructureSection load='' size='350' side='right' caption='Structure of human galectin-1 complex with lactose, mercaptoethanol and sulfate  (PDB entry [[1w6o]])' scene='51/516488/Cv/1'>
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== Function ==

'''Galectin''' or '''galactoside-binding soluble lectin''' (GAL) are lectins which bind β-galactosidase (BGAL).  GAL contains a carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) residues 113-250<ref>PMID:8063692</ref>.  <br />
* GAL-1 is thought to play a role as autocrine negative growth factor that regulates cell proliferation.<br />
* GAL-2 is expressed primarily in gastrointestinal tract.<br />
* GAL-3 has broad biological functionality.<br />
* GAL-4 has 2 CRDs.<br />
* GAL-5 is found in rat is a β-galactoside binding lectin<ref>PMID:19903899</ref>.<br />
* GAL-7 is associated with epithelial cells.<br />
* GAL-8 has a role in cellular defense against bacterial infection and vacuolar damage.<br />
* GAL-9 affects eosinophil survival. <br />
* GAL-10 or Charcot-Leyden crystal protein acts on biological membranes to regulate the multifunctional lysophospholipids.<br />
* GAL-13 is a placental protein which does not bind β-galactosides.<br />

== Relevance == 

GAL are known to inhibit chronic inflammation<ref>PMID:20146714</ref>.  GAL-3 has a role in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and melanoma methastasis<ref>PMID:22418727</ref>.

== Structural highlights ==

The CRD is a β-sandwich long enough to bind a tetrasaccharide.  A <scene name='51/516488/Cv/4'>lactose ligand is bound at the concave face of the β-sheet</scene><ref>PMID:15476813</ref>. Water molecules shown as red spheres.

==3D structures of galectin==
[[Galectin 3D structures]]

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== References ==
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