Cellular location and functions of galectins. Galectins can be found in the extracellular space, in the cell membrane, in the cytoplasm, and even in the nucleus. They can bind to proteins via a carbohydrate interaction or via direct protein-protein interactions. Most galectins have multiple functions and they can mediate (1) receptor cross-linking or lattice formation, (2) cell-extracellular matrix interactions, (3) cell-to-cell interactions, (4) intracellular signaling, and (5) posttranscriptional splicing.