LEG,Small-inducible cytokine B,Galactoside-Binding Soluble,Cxcl,Scyb,LGALS,Galectin,Cxcl5,Cytokine LIX,Galactoside-Binding Soluble 1,Galectin1,GBP,Lectin,Scyb5,Small-inducible cytokine B5,Lgals1,LEG1,The galectins constitute a large family of carbohydrate-binding proteins that function in many systems both intracellularly and following secretion. Galectins contain either one or two carbohydrate recognition domains (CRR) which mediate recognition of N-acetyl-lactosamine-containing glycoproteins. Some galectins exist in multiple isoforms due to alternative splicing. Individual galectins differ in their tissue distribution and in their carbohydrate-binding specificities.