Structural analysis of ConBr reveals molecular correlation between the carbohydrate recognition domain and endothelial NO synthase activation

► Canavalia brasiliensis seed lectin crystal structure and the prediction of dimannoside biding by docking were used to structure/function analysis. ► The relation between the carbohydrate binding domain and the induction to product NO can be demonstrated by CRD design. ► ConBr presents similar distances to ConM, but the reduction of biological activity is explained by the smaller CRD volume.