Recombinant 
galectin 8 (rGal 8), produced in host 
Escherichia coli, exerts hemagglutinating activity, neutrophil adhesion inducing activity, 
integrin αM-binding activity, proMMP-9 binding activity, active form MMP-9 production promoting activity, 
superoxide production promoting activity, 
apoptosis inducing activity for a particular 
cell, suppressive or inhibitory activity against the 
metastasis / invasion of 
tumor cells, etc. In the rGal 8, however, a link domain linking two CRDs is highly susceptible to 
protease and, therefore, is very easily digestible with the 
enzyme, thereby losing the above activities. Thus, there is a need for a more stabilized molecule in view of further studies. Modification of the link domain linking two CRDs in 
galectin 8 provides a modified molecule having an elevated activity without any undesirable effects on the above activities.