Fig. 4.

Schematic illustration of the three types of modular architecture of vertebrate galectins. The hexagon symbolizes the beta-sandwich-type carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). Non-covalent association to a homodimer and conjugation of two different CRDs (as shown by the color coding) by a linker establish the proto type and tandem-repeat type, respectively. Extension of the canonical CRD by a tail comprising for example collagen-like repeats as in the case of galectin-3 (LGALS3), leads to the chimera type