Asialoglycoprotein Receptor 1 (ASGR1)

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.

The ASGR1 gene encodes a glycoprotein that forms the asialoglycoprotein receptor, also known as the Ashwell receptor, which is specific for desialylated (galactosyl-terminal) glycoproteins and is expressed exclusively in hepatic parenchymal cells. Partially deglycosylated plasma glycoproteins are efficiently and specifically removed from the circulation via this receptor-ligand complex. Many functional studies describing the kinetics of ligand-binding, internalization, and recycling of such receptors have been performed on the human hepatoma cell line HepG2.