Description and characterization of a surface lectin from Giardia lamblia

The mechanisms by which the human enteric pathogen Giardia lamblia colonizes the proximal small intestine are poorly understood. Although the parasite possesses an attachment organelle on its ventral surface, the "sucking" disk, we considered that like many bacteria and some protozoa, G. lamblia might also have a surface membrane-associated modality for adherence to its host. Using an erythrocyte mixed-agglutination model, we demonstrated a parasite surface lectin with specificities for D-glucosyl and D-mannosyl residues. This lectin is soluble in Triton X-100, is calcium dependent, and is maximally active at pH 5.5 to 6.0. Partial purification was achieved by serial extraction of parasites in Triton X-100 followed by Sephadex G-150 affinity chromatography. The lectin could not be surface radiolabeled with 125I-Bolton-Hunter reagent, but radiolabeling of the hapten eluate from an affinity column produced four bands of 57,000 to 78,000 Mr on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels under reducing conditions. The biological function of this lectin is unknown. The presence of mannosyl residues on the luminal surface of human small intestinal epithelial cells suggests that there are receptors for Giardia lectin at the site of colonization.