Radioimmunoassay and characterization of ligandin in the rat

Ligandin is a major soluble hepatic protein with the distinctive property of binding a wide range of organic anions. It is important in relation to various aspects of hepatic and renal function. The present study was prompted by the need for a sensitive and specific method for measuring ligandin in tissues and physiological fluids and is concerned mainly with the development of a radioimmunoassay for this protein in the rat as well as the applications of this technique. Certain observations pertaining to the structure of ligandin also emerged during this work and were explored further in relation to the function of this protein as an enzyme and as an organic anion binding protein