This gene encodes a member of the galectin family. Galectins are beta-galactoside-binding animal lectins with conserved carbohydrate recognition domains. The galectins have been implicated in many essential functions including development, differentiation, cell-cell adhesion, cell-matrix interaction, growth regulation, apoptosis, and RNA splicing. This gene is widely expressed in tumoral tissues and seems to be involved in integrin-like cell interactions. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008],Gal-8, PCTA-1, PCTA1, Po66-CBP,Cancer,Cell Adhesion,Cell Biology & Developmental Biology,Immunology & Inflammation,Invasion and Metastasis,Tumor immunology,Tumor immunology_Tumor-associated antigens,LGALS8