The legume lectins (or L-type lectins) are a family of sugar-binding proteins or lectins found in the seeds and, in smaller amounts, in the roots, stems, leaves and bark of plants of the family Fabaceae.[2][3] The exact function of the legume lectins in vivo is unknown but they are probably involved in the defense of plants against predators. Related proteins in other plant families and in animals have also been found. They have been used for decades as a model system for the study of protein-carbohydrate interactions, because they show a wide variety of binding specificities and are easy to obtain, purify, and characterize the structure of.[3] Well-studied members of this protein family include phytohemagglutinin, soybean agglutinins, and concanavalin A.
