Lectin, Galactoside-Binding Soluble 16 (LGALS16)

Contains 1 galectin domain. The structure of the galectin domain reveals an interaction interface between its two carbohydrate recognition domains, locating both sugar binding sites face to face. Sequence evidence suggests other tandem-repeat galectins have the same arrangement.

The galectin domain binds carbohydrates containing lactose and N-acetyl-lactosamine units, and present structures of the galectin domain with lactose, N-acetyl-lactosamine, 3-aminopropyl-lacto-N-neotetraose, and 2-aminoethyl-tri(N-acetyl-lactosamine), confirming the domain as a bona fide galectin domain. Galectins constitute a family of proteins that bind to β-galactoside residues and have diverse physiological functions.