Clearance of circulating γ-glutamyltransferase by the hepatic galactose receptor. Variability in clearance rate due to carbohydrate heterogeneity of the enzyme

The clearance and organ uptake of gamma-glutamyltransferase was studied by injecting the purified human liver enzyme intravenously in the rat. The enzyme was almost exclusively taken up by liver hepatocytes with a rapid initial uptake. The clearance was significantly inhibited by asialofetuin as well as by galactose and fucose. The uptake of neuraminidase-treated enzyme was much more rapid than that of the native enzyme. Subfractions of gamma-glutamyltransferase obtained by lectin affinity chromatography revealed significant differences in clearance rates. The data strongly indicates that the uptake of circulating gamma-glutamyltransferase involves the galactose (asialo-glycoprotein) receptor of the parenchymal cells, and that the heterogeneity of gamma-glutamyltransferase results in varying clearance rates.