Abstract. GMP-140 is a rapidly inducible receptor for neutrophils and monocytes expressed on activated platelets and endothelial cells. It is a member of the selectin family of lectin-like cell surface molecules that mediate leukocyte adhesion. We used a radioligand binding assay to characterize the interaction of purified GMP-140 with human neutrophils. Unstimulated neutrophils rapidly bound [12~I]GMP-140 at 4°C, reaching equilibrium in 10-15 min. Binding was Ca 2÷ dependent, reversible, and saturable at 3-6 nM free GMP-140 with half-maximal binding at =1.5 nM. Receptor density and apparent affinity were not altered when neutrophils were stimulated with 4/~-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Treatment of neutrophils with proteases abolished specific binding of [125I]GMP-140. Binding was also diminished when neutrophils were treated with neuraminidase from Vibrio cholerae, which cleaves ix2-3-, a2-6-, and ot2-8-1inked sialic acids, or from Newcastle disease virus, which cleaves only a2-3-and tx2-8-1inked sialic acids. Binding was not inhibited by an mAb to the abundant myeloid oligosaccharide, Le x (CD15), or by the neoglycoproteins Lex-BSA and sialyl-Le~-BSA. We conclude that neutrophils constitutively express a glycoprotein receptor for GMP-140, which contains sialic acid residues that are essential for function. These findings support the concept that GMP-140 interacts with leukocytes by a lectin-like mechanism.