Galectin-3 protein comprises a N-terminal flexible domain and a C-terminal carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD). It is mapped to human chromosome 14q22.3. Galectin-3 is expressed in sensory neurons, immune endothelial?and epithelial cells.
Galectin-3 has been associated with the inhibition of apoptosis and the progression of cancer, as well as being a mediator of inflammation. Studies have found a positive correlation between the expression of galectin-3 and tumorigenicity and metastasis in colon, liver, and thyroid cancer.
