Details for: LGALS4

Gene ID: 3960

Gene Type:  Protein-coding  - A gene that serves as a template for producing a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which is then translated into a functional protein.

Symbol: LGALS4

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000171747

Description: galectin 4

Selected Context(s):  Overall

Cell Significance Landscape

Contexts:

Associated with

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • goblet cell CL0000160
    CSI 55.03
    rCSI 52%
    PRS 99.36
  • intestine goblet cell CL0019031
    CSI 50.12
    rCSI 44.49%
    PRS 99.19
  • transit amplifying cell of colon CL0009011
    CSI 48.29
    rCSI 56.71%
    PRS 99.68
  • M cell of gut CL0000682
    CSI 41.64
    rCSI 44.24%
    PRS 99.49
  • stem cell CL0000034
    CSI 39.02
    rCSI 37.62%
    PRS 99.39
  • colon epithelial cell CL0011108
    CSI 37.24
    rCSI 39.01%
    PRS 99.38
  • colonocyte CL1000347
    CSI 33.34
    rCSI 47.8%
    PRS 99.39
  • intestinal epithelial cell CL0002563
    CSI 31.09
    rCSI 32.49%
    PRS 99.31
  • BEST4+ enteroycte CL4030026
    CSI 29.79
    rCSI 37.05%
    PRS 99.18
  • type L enteroendocrine cell CL0002279
    CSI 27.25
    rCSI 51.14%
    PRS 99.43
  • colon goblet cell CL0009039
    CSI 26.68
    rCSI 63.42%
    PRS 99.54
  • transit amplifying cell CL0009010
    CSI 26.2
    rCSI 40.08%
    PRS 99.62
  • intestinal tuft cell CL0019032
    CSI 25.79
    rCSI 39.42%
    PRS 99.17
  • epithelial cell of lung CL0000082
    CSI 25.31
    rCSI 20.98%
    PRS 99.78
  • small intestine goblet cell CL1000495
    CSI 25.14
    rCSI 55.06%
    PRS 99.65
  • enterocyte CL0000584
    CSI 24.89
    rCSI 40.13%
    PRS 98.84
  • intrahepatic cholangiocyte CL0002538
    CSI 24.58
    rCSI 58.98%
    PRS 99.39
  • brush cell CL0002204
    CSI 24.45
    rCSI 48.4%
    PRS 99.36
  • foveolar cell of stomach CL0002179
    CSI 23.38
    rCSI 49.77%
    PRS 99.51
  • enteroendocrine cell of small intestine CL0009006
    CSI 23.04
    rCSI 50.73%
    PRS 99.38
  • epithelial cell CL0000066
    CSI 22.5
    rCSI 34.58%
    PRS 96.98
  • mucous neck cell CL0000651
    CSI 21.95
    rCSI 31.64%
    PRS 99.38
  • midzonal region hepatocyte CL0019028
    CSI 21.86
    rCSI 51.31%
    PRS 98.76
  • enteroendocrine cell CL0000164
    CSI 21.05
    rCSI 28.77%
    PRS 98.77
  • intestinal crypt stem cell of small intestine CL0009017
    CSI 19.1
    rCSI 51.48%
    PRS 99.76
  • IgA plasma cell CL0000987
    CSI 15.82
    rCSI 16.19%
    PRS 98.31
  • periportal region hepatocyte CL0019026
    CSI 15.63
    rCSI 60.76%
    PRS 98.72
  • paneth cell of epithelium of small intestine CL1000343
    CSI 14.17
    rCSI 39.71%
    PRS 99.66
  • pancreatic ductal cell CL0002079
    CSI 12.46
    rCSI 24.23%
    PRS 99.31
  • enterocyte of epithelium of large intestine CL0002071
    CSI 12.33
    rCSI 64.77%
    PRS 99.54
  • type EC enteroendocrine cell CL0000577
    CSI 12.24
    rCSI 43.44%
    PRS 99.37
  • IgG plasma cell CL0000985
    CSI 12.15
    rCSI 14.56%
    PRS 99.02
  • tuft cell of colon CL0009041
    CSI 11.53
    rCSI 26.86%
    PRS 99.18
  • glial cell CL0000125
    CSI 11
    rCSI 41.89%
    PRS 97.91
  • enteroendocrine cell of colon CL0009042
    CSI 10.61
    rCSI 49.74%
    PRS 99.34
  • paneth cell CL0000510
    CSI 9.08
    rCSI 13.41%
    PRS 99.82
  • transit amplifying cell of small intestine CL0009012
    CSI 8.84
    rCSI 38.82%
    PRS 99.87
  • intestinal crypt stem cell of colon CL0009043
    CSI 8.3
    rCSI 62.33%
    PRS 99.77
  • mesenchymal cell CL0008019
    CSI 7.54
    rCSI 19.16%
    PRS 99.34
  • P/D1 enteroendocrine cell CL0002268
    CSI 6.3
    rCSI 34.3%
    PRS 99.3
  • paneth cell of colon CL0009009
    CSI 6.3
    rCSI 61.83%
    PRS 99.54
  • enterocyte of epithelium of small intestine CL1000334
    CSI 3.69
    rCSI 57.09%
    PRS 99.62

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

Explore relationships of the current gene. Select an Interaction Source: 'ONTOLOGY' for shared pathways (GO/Reactome) or 'STRING' for protein-protein interactions. Further refine by selecting context genes and comparing Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores between baseline and target cell types and their specific contexts.

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Legend:
  • Query Gene
  • Node Color (Target Cell CSI, relative to current network):
    • Very High
    • High
    • Medium
    • Low
    • Very Low
    • CSI N/A
  • Node Size: Proportional to Target Cell CSI magnitude
  • STRING PPI Edge
  • Shared Pathway Edge (ONTOLOGY)

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Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary [LGALS4](/details-gene/3960), also known as galectin-4, is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 19q13.2. It belongs to the galectin family of S-type lectins, which are characterized by their ability to bind beta-galactoside carbohydrates. Functionally, [LGALS4](/details-gene/3960) is involved in molecular processes such as [carbohydrate binding](/details-go/GO:0030246) and [cell adhesion](/details-go/GO:0007155). Expression data reveals that [LGALS4](/details-gene/3960) is a highly specific and abundant marker for various cell types within the gastrointestinal epithelium, most notably [goblet cell](/details-cell/CL0000160)s and other intestinal secretory and absorptive cells. Research indicates its expression is down-regulated in colorectal cancer, suggesting a potential role as a tumor suppressor ([OMIM](/omim/602518)) [Link](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1432-1033.1997.00225.x). ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [LGALS4](/details-gene/3960) firmly establishes its role as a key protein in the gastrointestinal tract. **Overall**, it exhibits the highest significance in cells responsible for forming the intestinal epithelial barrier and its associated functions. The most significant expression is observed in [goblet cell](/details-cell/CL0000160) (CSI: 55.03), including those specifically from the [intestine](/details-cell/CL0019031) (CSI: 50.12) and [colon](/details-cell/CL0009039) (CSI: 26.68). This high specificity suggests a critical function in the production and maintenance of the protective mucus layer. Its significance extends to other specialized epithelial cells like [M cell of gut](/details-cell/CL0000682) (CSI: 41.64), [colon epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0011108) (CSI: 37.24), and [colonocyte](/details-cell/CL1000347) (CSI: 33.34), reinforcing its importance in the structural and functional integrity of the colon. Furthermore, high CSI values in progenitor and transit-amplifying populations, such as [transit amplifying cell of colon](/details-cell/CL0009011) (CSI: 48.29) and [stem cell](/details-cell/CL0000034) (CSI: 39.02), suggest that [LGALS4](/details-gene/3960) may also be involved in the differentiation and maintenance of the intestinal epithelium. One study reported its distinct localization to sites of cell-cell adhesion in colon adenocarcinoma cells, supporting a structural role in maintaining epithelial integrity [Link](https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.272.22.14294). ## Pathways and Molecular Function The molecular functions of [LGALS4](/details-gene/3960) are consistent with its cellular expression pattern. As a galectin, its primary molecular function is [carbohydrate binding](/details-go/GO:0030246), with a specificity for [galactoside binding](/details-go/GO:0016936). This activity underpins its role in mediating [cell adhesion](/details-go/GO:0007155) by cross-linking glycoproteins on adjacent cells or between cells and the extracellular matrix. The protein is found in the [cytosol](/details-go/GO:0005829), associated with the [plasma membrane](/details-go/GO:0005886), and secreted into the [extracellular space](/details-go/GO:0005615), allowing it to function both inside and outside the cell. Its annotation to the [antibacterial peptide biosynthetic process](/details-go/GO:0002780) suggests an additional role in innate immunity at the mucosal surface, potentially by binding to glycans on the surface of microbes and contributing to host defense within the gut lumen. This dual function in both structural adhesion and innate defense highlights its importance in maintaining gut homeostasis. ## Research Directions The specific expression of [LGALS4](/details-gene/3960) in the intestinal epithelium and its reported down-regulation in colorectal cancer provide a compelling basis for further investigation into its role in both normal physiology and disease. Based on the available data, several testable hypotheses can be proposed: 1. Loss of [LGALS4](/details-gene/3960) expression is a key event in colorectal carcinogenesis, leading to compromised epithelial barrier integrity and facilitating tumor progression by disrupting cell-cell adhesion. 2. [LGALS4](/details-gene/3960) functions as a component of the innate immune system in the gut by selectively binding to the glycans of pathogenic bacteria, thereby preventing their colonization and contributing to the maintenance of a healthy microbiome. 3. The expression of [LGALS4](/details-gene/3960) in intestinal stem and progenitor cells is essential for their proper differentiation into mature epithelial lineages, particularly the secretory [goblet cell](/details-cell/CL0000160) lineage. To test the first hypothesis regarding its role in epithelial barrier function, a key experiment could be proposed. One could use CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out [LGALS4](/details-gene/3960) in a human colonic epithelial cell line, such as Caco-2 or T84. These knockout and wild-type cells would then be grown as monolayers on transwell inserts. Barrier integrity could be quantitatively assessed by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and paracellular flux of fluorescently-labeled dextran. Additionally, immunofluorescence staining for tight junction proteins (e.g., ZO-1, Occludin) would reveal any structural disorganization in the absence of [LGALS4](/details-gene/3960). Given that its expression is reduced in colorectal cancer, [LGALS4](/details-gene/3960) appears to function as a tumor suppressor. Therefore, its therapeutic potential would likely lie in strategies aimed at **activation** or restoration of its function rather than inhibition. This could involve developing small-molecule chaperones to stabilize the protein or exploring gene therapy approaches to re-introduce its expression in cancerous tissues. Its role in cell adhesion and potential immune function make restoring its activity an attractive strategy for inhibiting tumor cell dissociation and metastasis.

Genular Protein ID: 623807795

Symbol: LEG4_HUMAN

Name: Galectin-4

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

P56470

Database IDs:

AGR 1 AlphaFoldDB 1 Antibodypedia 1 Bgee 1 BindingDB 1 BioGRID 1 BioGRID-ORCS 1 BioMuta 1 CCDS 1 CDD 1 CTD 1 ChEBI 1 ChEMBL 1 ChiTaRS 1 DMDM 1 DNASU 1 DisGeNET 1 EMBL 6 Ensembl 2 EvolutionaryTrace 1 ExpressionAtlas 1 GO 8 Gene3D 1 GeneCards 1 GeneTree 1 GeneWiki 1 GenomeRNAi 1 HGNC 1 HOGENOM 1 HPA 1 InParanoid 1 IntAct 1 InterPro 3 KEGG 1 MANE-Select 1 MIM 1 MassIVE 1 NCBI Taxonomy 1 OMA 1 OpenTargets 1 OrthoDB 1 PANTHER 2 PDB 13 PDBsum 13 PRO 1 PROSITE 1 PathwayCommons 1 PaxDb 1 PeptideAtlas 1 Pfam 1 PharmGKB 1 Pharos 1 PhosphoSitePlus 1 PhylomeDB 1 Proteomes 1 ProteomicsDB 1 RNAct 1 RefSeq 1 SMART 2 SMR 1 STRING 1 SUPFAM 1 SignaLink 1 TreeFam 1 UniLectin 1 VEuPathDB 1 eggNOG 1 iPTMnet 1 jPOST 1 neXtProt 1

Citations:

PubMed ID: 9310382

Title: Cloning and expression of the mRNA of human galectin-4, an S-type lectin down-regulated in colorectal cancer.

PubMed ID: 9310382

DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1997.00225.x

PubMed ID: 9162064

Title: Strikingly different localization of galectin-3 and galectin-4 in human colon adenocarcinoma T84 cells. Galectin-4 is localized at sites of cell adhesion.

PubMed ID: 9162064

DOI: 10.1074/jbc.272.22.14294

PubMed ID: 15489334

Title: The status, quality, and expansion of the NIH full-length cDNA project: the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC).

PubMed ID: 15489334

DOI: 10.1101/gr.2596504

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 323
  • Mass: 35941
  • Checksum: E79EC0A9AB3990EF
  • Sequence:
    • MAYVPAPGYQ PTYNPTLPYY QPIPGGLNVG MSVYIQGVAS EHMKRFFVNF VVGQDPGSDV 
AFHFNPRFDG WDKVVFNTLQ GGKWGSEERK RSMPFKKGAA FELVFIVLAE HYKVVVNGNP 
FYEYGHRLPL QMVTHLQVDG DLQLQSINFI GGQPLRPQGP PMMPPYPGPG HCHQQLNSLP 
TMEGPPTFNP PVPYFGRLQG GLTARRTIII KGYVPPTGKS FAINFKVGSS GDIALHINPR 
MGNGTVVRNS LLNGSWGSEE KKITHNPFGP GQFFDLSIRC GLDRFKVYAN GQHLFDFAHR 
LSAFQRVDTL EIQGDVTLSY VQI