Mammalian galectins: Structure, carbohydrate specificity, and functions

Galectins are a family of P-galactoside binding lectins, homological by a sequence of the carbobydrate-binding site. In this review literature data about structure and carbohydrate specificity of galectins are discussed. The role of galectins in the regulation of cell adhesion in immune response, inflammation, and cancer progression is considered.