Transmembrane protein predominantly expressed on hepatocytes that plays a key role in endocytosis of plasma glycoproteins that lack terminal sialic acid residues. Specifically recognizes terminal galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine residues, facilitating the clearance of desialylated glycoproteins from circulation. Plays thereby a role in a variety of physiological processes, such as removal of desialylated platelets, elimination of activated lymphocytes and maintenance of serum glycoprotein homeostasis (PubMed:25485912). Plays a role in the removal of desialylated platelets by activating a feedback loop regulating thrombopoietin (TPO) expression via the JAK2- STAT3 signaling pathway (PubMed:25485912). Contributes also to recognition and elimination of activated lymphocytes by hepatocytes that can act as cytotoxic effectors (PubMed:21656538). May also play a physiological role in the regulatory network of lipid homeostasis (By similarity). Upon ligand binding, the receptor-ligand complex is internalized and trafficked to a sorting organelle, where dissociation occurs. The receptor is then recycled back to the cell surface. {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P34927, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12171918, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21656538, ECO:0000269|PubMed:25485912}. (Microbial infection) Plays an essential role in ACE2- independent SARS-CoV-2 entry by acting as alternate receptor. . This is the function of ASGR1 (asialoglycoprotein receptor 1, ENSG00000141505).