INTERACTIONS OF PLANT-LECTINS WITH THE COMPONENTS OF THE BACTERIAL-CELL WALL PEPTIDOGLYCAN

Forty-five plant lectins/isolectins of various origins, including lect ins from fungi, were assayed for their reactivity towards the componen ts of the cell wall peptidoglycan (muramic acid, N-acetylmuramic acid, N-acetylglucosamine and muramyl-dipeptides). Many lectins from the tr ibe Vicieae strongly reacted with both muramic acid, N-acetylmuramic a cid and muramyl-dipeptides. Lectins from other Leguminosae tribes were generally less reactive, whilst lectins belonging to other families w ere poorly reactive or unreactive as well. Molecular modelling and doc king performed with muramic acid and muramyl-dipeptides explain these observed discrepancies. These results suggest that lectins of the Legu minosae could be involved in plant-bacteria interactions which could, in turn, promote some saprophytic, symbiotic or pathogenic relationshi ps.