Structures of the lectins from Pseudomonas aeruginosa:: insights into the molecular basis for host glycan recognition

The opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces two lectins in close association with virulence factors: PA-IL and PA-IIL, which bind to galactose- and fucose/matmose-containing glycoconjugates, respectively. We review here the structural aspects of these lectins relative to their putative roles in host recognition, cell surface adhesion and biofilm formation. (C) 2003 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.