Binding of ligands to the asialo-glycoprotein receptor causes a reduction in Ca flux through the plasma membrane of isolated hepatocytes

The addition of 200 nM asialo-orosomucoid to isolated rat hepatocytes caused a temporary reduction (down to 20% of control values) in the rate of influx of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ ions in the cells. After 5 min the rate of influx gradually returned to control values. The change in influx rates was dose-dependent. The rate of efflux of calcium ions from cells previously loaded with ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ was reduced by 20%. Asialo-fetuin had qualitatively the same effect as asialo-orosomucoid; native fetuin produced no changes.