LGALS13


Placental protein 13 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the LGALS13 gene.

Structure and function

It is composed of two identical subunits which are held together by disulfide bonds. The monomer of this protein has structural similarity to several members of the beta-galactoside-binding S-type lectin family, but it could not bind beta-galactoside. This is because the ligand binding site is lack of key residue for binding beta-galactoside. It is a galectin-like protein.
Galectin-13 has been shown to bind CD44, inhibiting membrane localization of SLC7A11 and promoting propagation of ferroptosis.

Clinical significance

PP13 levels that are low in the first trimester of pregnancy confers a higher risk for developing pre-eclampsia later in pregnancy.