Galectin-4 (Gal-4), also known as L36LBP (L-36 lactose-binding protein). The galectins are a family of beta-galactoside-binding proteins implicated in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Galectin-4 expression is concentrated within microvilli in the gastrointestinal epithelium, where it can interact with CD3 and bind activated T cells in the lamina propria during intestinal inflammation. LGALS4 is an S-type lectin that is strongly underexpressed in colorectal cancer.
