What is galectin-3 (Gal-3)?Updated a month ago

Gal-3 is a carbohydrate (_-galactoside) binding protein that participates in numerous biological

processes. Commonly, Gal-3 is found in the body in small amounts, but in response to injury or

infection becomes highly upregulated, driving damaging reactions at the cellular level as well as

tissue, organ, and systemic levels. Gal-3 is activated by binding glycoprotein and glycolipid

molecules into its carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). Once activated, Gal-3 binds to itself

through the N-terminal to form pentamers, which create lattices that

block regular communication between cells.