Carbohydrate-mediated elimination of avian plasma glycoprotein in mammals

THE heavily glycosylated1 plasma protein α1-acid glycoprotein (α1AGP) is known to occur in numerous mammalian species2. Its biological significance is still largely unknown3 but together with fibrinogen and caeruloplasmin it belongs to a particular group of plasma proteins (acute phase reactants)4, the synthesis of which is a response to trauma.