LGALS3, Official Symbol LGALS3provided by HGNC Official Full Name galectin 3provided by HGNC Primary source HGNC:HGNC:6563 See related Ensembl:ENSG00000131981 MIM:153619; AllianceGenome:HGNC:6563 Gene type protein coding RefSeq status REVIEWED Organism Homo sapiens Lineage Eukaryota; Metazoa; Chordata; Craniata; Vertebrata; Euteleostomi; Mammalia; Eutheria; Euarchontoglires; Primates; Haplorrhini; Catarrhini; Hominidae; Homo Also known as L31; GAL3; MAC2; CBP35; GALBP; GALIG; LGALS2 Summary This gene encodes a member of the galectin family of carbohydrate binding proteins. Members of this protein family have an affinity for beta-galactosides. The encoded protein is characterized by an N-terminal proline-rich tandem repeat domain and a single C-terminal carbohydrate recognition domain. This protein can self-associate through the N-terminal domain allowing it to bind to multivalent saccharide ligands. This protein localizes to the extracellular matrix, the cytoplasm and the nucleus. This protein plays a role in numerous cellular functions including apoptosis, innate immunity, cell adhesion and T-cell regulation. The protein exhibits antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants.[provided by RefSeq, Oct 2014] Annotation information Note: GeneID 3958 had the official symbol LGALS2 and was identified as the human homolog of mouse Mac-2 (macrophage galactose-specific lectin) in M35368.1 and PMID: 2402511. The official symbol for this gene is now LGALS3. [30 Mar 2010] Expression Broad expression in colon (RPKM 302.9), small intestine (RPKM 190.7) and 21 other tissues See more Orthologs mouse all