[The fibronectin-binding capacity of Yersinia pestis]

Y. pestis cells have been shown capable of binding fibronectin (FN), the presence of adhesion pili considerably enhancing FN binding. The study has established that, along with FN, native adhesive pili, but not subunits, are capable of binding mucin and ganglioside. Structures similar to FN-binding curlings of Escherichia have been found on the surface of Y. pestis cells. The expression of curling-like structures does not depend on the presence of plasmids in Y. pestis cells.