Inhibitory effect of sodium arsenite and azide on asialoglycoprotein receptor mediated endocytosis in suspended rat hepatocytes.

The inhibitory effect of sodium arsenite and azide on asialoorosomucoid endocytosis was tested using isolated rat hepatocytes. Under either continuous flux conditions or a single synchronous wave of ligand endocytosis we confirm that azide inhibits the recycling of the receptors and we provide evidence for the involvement of thiol groups in the internalization step. In addition pretreatment of hepatocytes with azide allows us to demonstrate that receptor endocytosis proceeds independently of the presence of any specific ligand.