Surface Listeria monocytogenes carbohydrate-binding components revealed by agglutination with neoglycoproteins

Carbohydrate-binding components were shown to be present at the surface of Listeria monocytogenes by means of a panel of neoglycoproteins using direct agglutination. These lectin-like components bind on neoglycoproteins bearing d -glucosamine, l -fucosylamine, or para-amino-phenyl-α- d -mannopyrannoside residues. The interactions were inhibited by the carbohydrate moieties specific to the neoglycoproteins. The protein nature of the lectin-like components of L. monocytogenes was ascertained by the loss of carbohydratebinding capacity following protease treatment.