Characterization of glucagon receptors in Golgi fractions of fetal rat liver.

The present study was designed to determine if Golgi fractions from fetal rat liver contain glucagon receptors and to characterize the properties of such receptors. Purification patterns of liver plasma membranes and Golgi fractions from fetal and adult rats were similar, as verified by morphological and biochemical approaches. Glucagon binding was greater in plasma membranes of adult than fetal rats, while in Golgi fractions glucagon binding was similar in both groups. The modifications in in glucagon binding reflect changes in glucagon receptors. Glucagon association and glucagon receptor inactivation by liver membranes were similar in the two groups of animals, while glucagon degradation was lower in fetal than in adult rats.