Affinity cross-linking of the plasma membrane fraction to an I-125-labeled
chitin oligosaccharide led to the identification and characterization of an
85-kD, chitin binding protein in plasma membrane-enriched fractions from b
oth suspension-cultured soybean cells and root tissue, inhibition analysis
indicated a binding preference for larger (i.e. degrees of polymerization =
8) N-acetylated chitin molecules with a 50% inhibition of initial activity
value of approximately 50 nM. N-Acetyl-glucosamine and chitobiose showed n
o inhibitory effects at concentrations as high as 250 muM. it is noteworthy
that the major lipo-chitin oligosaccharide Nod signal produced by Bradyrhi
zobium japonicum was also shown to be a competitive inhibitor of ligand bin
ding. However, the binding site appeared to recognize the chitin portion of
the Nod signal, and it is unlikely that this binding activity, represents
a specific Nod signal receptor. Chitooligosaccharide specificity for induct
ion of medium alkalinization and the generation of reactive oxygen in suspe
nsion-cultured cells paralleled the binding activity. Taken together, the p
resence of the chitin binding protein in the plasma membrane fraction and t
he specificity and induction of a biological response upon ligand binding s
uggest a role for the protein as an initial response mechanism for chitin p
erception in soybean (Glycine max).