The members of this family are similar to the galactophilic lectin-1 expressed by P. aeruginosa ((PA-IL, Swiss:Q05097). Lectins recognising specific carbohydrates found on the surface of host cells are known to be involved in the initiation of infections by this organism. The protein is thought to be organised into an extensive network of beta-sheets, as is the case with many other lectins [1].

1: Analysis of the amino acid sequence of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa galactophilic PA-I lectin. Avichezer D, Katcoff DJ, Garber NC, Gilboa-Garber N; J Biol Chem 1992;267:23023-23027. PMID:1429650