The galectins are a family of beta-galactoside-binding proteins implicated in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Differential and in situ hybridization studies indicate that this lectin is specifically expressed in keratinocytes and found mainly in stratified squamous epithelium. A duplicate copy of this gene (GeneID:653499) is found adjacent to, but on the opposite strand on chromosome 19. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].