Galectin-3, human recombinant

Lectins are carbohydrate binding proteins that interact with glycoprotein and glycolipids on the surface of animal cells. The Galectins are lectins that recognize and interact with β-galactoside moieties. Galactin-3 regulates a number of biological processes, including embryogenesis, inflammatory responses, cell progression and metastasis. Galectin-3 can function intraCellularly in controlling cell cycle and preventing T-cell apoptosis, and also extraCellularly, in activating various cells, including monocytes/macrophages, mast cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. Recombinant Galectin-3 is a globular 26.0 kDa protein containing 250 amino acid residues, but no disulfide bonds.