Mouse asialoglycoprotein receptor cDNA sequence: conservation of receptor genes during mammalian evolution.

The asialoglycoprotein receptor internalizes galactose-terminated glycoproteins into mammalian hepatocytes for degradation in lysosomes. We report the cloning and sequencing of one murine asialoglycoprotein receptor cDNA which exhibits homology with rat and human receptor forms. Conserved regions may correlate with functional domains. The membrane-bound M (mouse) HL polypeptide does not contain a cleavable N-terminal signal sequence and is probably anchored to the membrane via an internal insertion sequence.