Galectins are a family of soluble β-galactoside-binding animal lectins that modulate cell-to-cell and cell-to-ECM interactions, as well as apoptosis. Galectin-3 encodes a 30-35 kDa protein containing a single carbohydrate binding domain, which binds galactose-containing glycoconjμgates. Upregulated expression of Galectin-3 is involved in cancer progression and metastasis.