Lectin that specifically recognizes microbial carbohydrate chains in a calcium-dependent manner (PubMed:11313366, PubMed:26148048). Binds to microbial glycans that contain a terminal acyclic 1,2-diol moiety, including beta-linked D-galactofuranose (beta-Galf), D-phosphoglycerol-modified glycans, D-glycero-D-talo-oct-2-ulosonic acid (KO) and 3-deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (KDO) (PubMed:26148048). Binds to glycans from Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including K.pneumoniae, S.pneumoniae, Y.pestis, P.mirabilis and P.vulgaris (PubMed:26148048). Does not bind human glycans (PubMed:26148048). Probably plays a role in the defense system against microorganisms (Probable). May function as adipokine that has no effect on basal glucose uptake but enhances insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes (PubMed:16531507). Increases AKT phosphorylation in the absence and presence of insulin (PubMed:16531507). May interact with lactoferrin/LTF and increase its uptake, and may thereby play a role in iron absorption (PubMed:11747454, PubMed:23921499). Homotrimer; disulfide-linked (PubMed:11313366, PubMed:17621593, PubMed:26148048). May interact with LTF (PubMed:11747454, PubMed:23921499). Enriched in lipid rafts. Highly expressed in omental adipose tissue where it is found in stromal vascular cells but not in fat cells but is barely detectable in subcutaneous adipose tissue (at protein level) (PubMed:16531507). Highly expressed in the small intestine. Also found in the heart, testis, colon, salivary gland, skeletal muscle, pancreas and thyroid and, to a lesser degree, in the uterus, spleen, prostate, lymph node and thymus. Found in fetal small intestine and thymus. N-glycosylated.