This gene encodes a member of the galectin family of carbohydrate binding proteins. Members of this protein family have an affinity for beta-galactosides. The encoded protein is characterized by an N-terminal proline-rich tandem repeat domain and a single C-terminal carbohydrate recognition domain. This protein can self-associate through the N-terminal domain allowing it to bind to multivalent saccharide ligands. This protein localizes to the extracellular matrix, the cytoplasm and the nucleus. This protein plays a role in numerous cellular functions including apoptosis, innate immunity, cell adhesion and T-cell regulation. The protein exhibits antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants.[provided by RefSeq, Oct 2014],CBP35, GAL3, GALBP, GALIG, L31, LGALS2, MAC2,Cell Adhesion,Cell Biology & Developmental Biology,Cell Cycle,Cell Cycle_Cell differentiation,Epigenetics & Nuclear Signaling,Neuroscience,RNA Binding,LGALS3