DIMINISHED HEPATIC BINDING-PROTEIN FOR DESIALYLATED GLYCOPROTEINS DURING CHEMICAL HEPATOCARCINOGENESIS

Abstract

The lectin hepatic binding protein has a specific binding capacity for desialylated [human] serum glycoproteins and is limited to hepatocyte membranes. This binding capacity was reduced by .apprx. 60% in the neoplastic nodules which resulted from exposure of rat livers to N-2-acetylaminofluorene. The binding capacity of the primary hepatocellular carcinomas which resulted from this regimen was reduced by 95%. The loss of binding capacity was proportional to the decreased concentration of immunologically detectable lectin in the altered tissues.