Lectin binding to glycoproteins in the surface membrane of Schistosoma mansoni

A number of lectins were assessed for their ability to bind to glycoproteins in the surface membrane of Schistosoma mansoni. The membrane polypeptides were separated by SDS-PAGE and the glycoproteins visualised by incubating the gel with radio-iodinated lectin followed by autoradiography. Most of the individual lectins bound to a variety of glycoproteins but peanut agglutinin and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin bound preferentially to a single glycoprotein of apparent molecular weight 170 000. This glycoprotein was subsequently shown to be exposed at the surface of the parasite and localised at the tubercles.