{"symbol":"LGALS3","synonyms":["GALBP","GAL3","MAC2","GALIG","LGALS2","CBP35"],"name":"lectin, galactoside-binding, soluble, 3","description":"This gene encodes a member of the galectin family of carbohydrate binding proteins. Members of this protein family have an affinity for beta-galactosides. The encoded protein is characterized by an N-terminal proline-rich tandem repeat domain and a single C-terminal carbohydrate recognition domain. This protein can self-associate through the N-terminal domain allowing it to bind to multivalent saccharide ligands. This protein localizes to the extracellular matrix, the cytoplasm and the nucleus. This protein plays a role in numerous cellular functions including apoptosis, innate immunity, cell adhesion and T-cell regulation. The protein exhibits antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants.[provided by RefSeq, Oct 2014]","ncbiEntrezGeneId":3958,"ncbiEntrezGeneUrl":"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/3958","proteins":[{"symbol":"LEG3_HUMAN","href":"/api/1.0/protein/LEG3_HUMAN"}],"hgncRootFamilies":[{"name":"Endogenous ligands","href":"/api/1.0/gene_family/Endogenous+ligands"},{"name":"Lectins, galactoside-binding (LGALS)","href":"/api/1.0/gene_family/Lectins%2C+galactoside-binding+%28LGALS%29"}]}