Asialoglycoprotein receptors in hepatic regeneration.

The hepatic binding protein which is responsible for receptor-mediated endocytosis of desialylated glycoproteins undergoes cell-cycle dependent modulation of its expression. Endocytosis of desialylated orosomucoid by hepatocytes isolated from regenerating liver following two-thirds hepatectomy is reduced by 80% and returns to normal when regeneration is substantially complete. This decrease in endocytotic activity is due to selective loss of cell-surface associated receptor during liver regeneration.