Pertussis toxin is one of several virulence factors produced by Bordetella pertussis, the etiologic agent of whooping cough. Pertussis toxin is an oligomeric A-B class toxin composed of an ADP-ribosyltransferase S1 (A) subunit and a B oligomer containing lectin-like binding domains. The carbohydrate binding specificity of the B oligomer is for sialooligosaccharide sequences expressed on target cell receptors and asparagine-linked glycans found in many serum glycoproteins. Pertussis toxin also has the ability to bind to the inert surfaces of culture tubes. In this report we present data showing that pertussis toxin binding to polypropylene microcentrifuge tubes was enhanced in a time- and concentration-dependent manner by the addition of soluble glycoprotein or oligosaccharide receptor analogs. Evidence obtained using the hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces of Gel Bond electrophoresis casting film indicated that receptor-enhanced binding was likely due to hydrophobic interactions. Hydrophobic binding of the isolated B oligomer of pertussis toxin was enhanced only in the presence of high concentrations of glycoproteins. Therefore, the S1 (A) subunit of pertussis holotoxin appears to play a role in receptor-enhanced hydrophobic binding. We propose, therefore, that pertussis toxin binding to its receptors may expose or preferentially orient hydrophobic residues that may contribute to the functional association of the toxin with host cell plasma membranes and delivery of the S1 subunit to its intracellular target.