Galectin-3 (Gal-3, Galactoside-binding protein, Mac-2 antigen) is a member of the galectin family of carbohydrate-binding proteins. Galectin-3 is active intracellularly and extracellularly. It is widely expressed, including by fibroblasts and macrophages. Intracellularly, Galectin-3 can function in the nucleus as a pre-mRNA splicing factor and in the cytoplasm it has roles in endocytosis, exocytosis and apoptosis. Extracellularly, Galectin-3 is often pro-inflammatory and is involved in innate immunity. Galectin-3 can be monomeric or form higher order homo and hetero oligomers.
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