AFM investigation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecA (PA-IL) filaments induced by multivalent glycoclusters

Atomic force microscopy reveals that Pseudomonas aeruginosa LecA (PA-IL) and a tetra-galactosylated 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene-based glycocluster self-assemble according to an aggregative chelate binding mode to create monodimensional filaments. Lectin oligomers are identified along the filaments and defects in chelate binding generate branches and bifurcations. A molecular model with alternate 90° orientation of LecA tetramers is proposed to describe the organisation of lectins and glycoclusters in the filaments.