Canadian Medical Guide > Chemicals and Drugs > Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins > Proteins > Lectins > Galectins Terms and Definitions

Galectins

Medical Definition:	A class of animal lectins that bind specifically to beta-galactoside in a calcium-independent manner. Members of this class are distiguished from other lectins by the presence of a conserved carbohydrate recognition domain. The majority of proteins in this class bind to sugar molecules in a sulfhydryl-dependent manner and are often referred to as S-type lectins, however this property is not required for membership in this class.
Guide Notes:	GALECTINS 1 through 4 are available
Also Called:	beta-D-Gal(1-3)D-GalNAc Specific Lectins
Previously Indexed:	Hemagglutinins (1978-2002)

Galectins Categories.

	Galectin 1 - A galectin found abundantly in smooth muscle (MUSCLE, SMOOTH) and SKELETAL MUSCLE and many other tissues. It occurs as a homodimer with two 14 kD subunits.
	Galectin 2 - A galectin found preferentially expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. The protein occurs as a homodimer with two 14 kD subunits.
	Galectin 3 - A multifunctional galactin initially discovered as a macrophage antigen that binds to IMMUNOGLOBULIN E, and as 29-35 kD lectin that binds LAMININ. It is involved in a variety of biological events including interactions with galactose-containing glycoconjugates, cell proliferation, CELL DIFFERENTIATION, and APOPTOSIS.
	Galectin 4 - A galectin found in the small and large intestine and the stomach. It occurs as a homodimer with two 36 kD subunits and is localized to sites of cell adhesion where it may play role in assembly of ADHERENS JUNCTIONS.

Galectins Medical Definitions and Terms

CANADIAN MEDICAL GUIDE

Thank you for visiting Canadian Medical Guide .com

Wildlife On Video »

Canada's Great Outdoors
Tour Canadian Rockies »
Book Banff »
Book Jasper »
Maligne Lake Boat Cruise »
Gondola Banff »
Hike Jasper »
Jasper Columbia Icefield »