Legume lectins are one of the largest lectin families. They resemble each other in their physicochemical properties although they differ in their carbohydrate specificities. Legume lectins consist of two or four subunits with molecular masses of 30 kDa each subunit having one carbohydrate-binding site. The interaction with sugars requires tightly bound calcium and manganese ions. The exact function of legume lectins is not known but they may be involved in the attachment of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and in the protection against pathogens [1].
Peanut agglutinin was identified as a minor allergen [2].
Family-defining Pfam domains (at least one of these domains is present in each family member):
| Pfam domain | Pfam clan | ||
| PF00139 | Legume lectin domain | CL0004 | Concanavalin-like lectin/glucanase superfamily |
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