Partially deglycosylated plasma glycoproteins and immunoglobulin IgA2 allotypes are efficiently and specifically removed from circulation by a receptor-mediated process. The asialoglycoprotein receptor binds to desialylated (galactosyl-terminal) glycoproteins. It transports these glycoproteins via a series of membrane vesicles and tubules to an acidic-sorting organelle where the receptor and ligand dissociate. Then the receptor is recycled back to the cell surface and the ligand is transported to the lysosomes for degradation. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been identified.

HUMAN

2-8°C (short-term); -20°C (long-term)