Chemicals and Drugs

Galectins

A class of animal lectins that bind specifically to beta-galactoside in a calcium-independent manner. Members of this class are distiguished from other lectins by the presence of a conserved carbohydrate recognition domain. The majority of proteins in this class bind to sugar molecules in a sulfhydryl-dependent manner and are often referred to as S-type lectins, however this property is not required for membership in this class.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A class of animal lectins that bind specifically to beta-galactoside in a calcium-independent manner. Members of this class are distiguished from other lectins by the presence of a conserved carbohydrate recognition domain. The majority of proteins in this class bind to sugar molecules in a sulfhydryl-dependent manner and are often referred to as S-type lectins, however this property is not required for membership in this class.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Narrower headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

23 entry terms
  • D-Galactoside-Binding Lectin
  • Galactose-Binding Lectin
  • Galaptins
  • Galectin
  • Lectins, S-Type
  • S-Type Lectin
  • S-Type Lectins
  • beta-D-Galactosyl-Specific Lectin
  • beta-Galactoside Binding Lectin
  • Binding Lectin, beta-Galactoside
  • D Galactoside Binding Lectin
  • Galactose Binding Lectin
  • Lectin, D-Galactoside-Binding
  • Lectin, Galactose-Binding
  • Lectin, S-Type
  • Lectin, beta-D-Galactosyl-Specific
  • Lectin, beta-Galactoside Binding
  • Lectins, S Type
  • S Type Lectin
  • S Type Lectins
  • beta D Galactosyl Specific Lectin
  • beta Galactoside Binding Lectin
  • beta-D-Gal(1-3)D-GalNAc Specific Lectins

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

30 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, ultrastructure, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

GALECTIN 1 through GALECTIN 4 are available

MeSH Record

History Note

2003; use GALECTINS (NM) 1978-2002

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Hemagglutinins (1978-2002)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. D12.776w.503w.307w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Galectins. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D037161. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D037161
  2. Galectins. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galectin
  3. Galectins. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83138026