galectin-9 (M-20) Antibody: sc-19294

galectin-9 Background Information
Galectins are a family of soluble b-galactoside-binding animal lectins that modulate cell-to-cell adhesion and cell-to-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions and play a role in tumor progression, pre-mRNA splicing and apoptosis. One member of this family, Galectin-9, also known as Ecalectin, Gal-9, hUAT2, HOM-HD-21 or LGALS9, maps to human chromosome 17. Galectin-9 is an integral membrane protein that exists as two isoforms, a long form and a short form, which differ by an internal stretch of 32 amino acids. Galectin-9 is an eosinophile chemoattractant produced by activated T lymphocytes that is expressed in organs of the gastrointestinal tract, aorta, liver, kidney, pancreatic islets, lung, tonsil and some colorectal carcinoma, and in the cell lines HUVEC, U-937, HL60, HeLa and Jurkat. Introduction of IL-1beta enhances Galectin-9 expression. Increased expression of Galectin-9 induces apoptosis in thymocytes and CD8+ cells. Galectin-9 is involved in immuno/inflammation processes in potential-sensitive uric acid translocation and contributes to inflammatory reactions in the central nervous system (CNS). Galectin-5, also known as RL-18, may function in erythrocyte differentiation.