Editing Lectin (section)

===In studying carbohydrate recognition by proteins===
[[File:Parasite160010-fig2 - Lectins in Paralichthys olivaceus infected by Kudoa septempunctata - Lectin histochemistry.png|thumb|Lectin [[histochemistry]] of fish muscles infected by a [[myxozoa]]n]]
Lectins from legume plants, such as [[Phytohaemagglutinin|PHA]] or [[concanavalin A]], have been used widely as model systems to understand the molecular basis of how proteins recognize carbohydrates, because they are relatively easy to obtain and have a wide variety of sugar specificities. The many [[crystal structures]] of legume lectins have led to a detailed insight of the atomic interactions between carbohydrates and proteins.

Legume seed lectins have been studied for their insecticidal potential and have shown harmful effects for the development of pest.<ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1016/j.cbpb.2022.110770 | title=Characterization and expression of prohibitin during the mexican bean weevil (Zabrotes subfasciatus, Boheman, 1833) larvae development | date=2022 | last1=Villegas-Coronado | first1=Diana | last2=Guzman-Partida | first2=Ana María | last3=Aispuro-Hernandez | first3=Emmanuel | last4=Vazquez-Moreno | first4=Luz | last5=Huerta-Ocampo | first5=José Ángel | last6=Sarabia-Sainz | first6=José Andre-i | last7=Teran-Saavedra | first7=Nayelli Guadalupe | last8=Minjarez-Osorio | first8=Christian | last9=Castro-Longoria | first9=Reina | last10=Maldonado | first10=Amir | last11=Lagarda-Diaz | first11=Irlanda | journal=Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | volume=262 | page=110770 | pmid=35644320 | s2cid=249145357 }}</ref>