Galectin-4 (Gal-4) is a lectin family member and is one of the tandem repeat-type galectins containing two carbohydrate recognition domains (CRD) connected by a linker region in a single peptide chain. The CRD is responsible for beta-galactoside binding, and several binding partners for galectin-4 have been identified, including human blood group antigens, glycoproteins, mucin like membrane MUC1, glycosphingolipids, and sulfated cholesterol. Galectin-4 is constitutively presented in the intestine and stomach, uterine epithelial cells, blood vessel walls, hippocampal and cortical neurons. It serves important functions in numerous biological activities including lipid raft stabilization, protein apical trafficking, cell adhesion, wound healing, intestinal inflammation, and host defense.
