In a study with colon adenocarcinoma cells lacking α2,6 sialylation (SW48), ST6Gal1 expression was found to decrease adhesion to galectin-3 coated plates: interestingly, unsialylated β1 integrin bound to galectin-3 and promoted apoptosis, but ST6Gal1 expression and α2,6 sialylation of β1 integrin protected cells from galectin-3 induced apoptosis (Zhuo et al., 2008). The gene discussed is ST6GAL1; the disease is colon adenocarcinoma.