The low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor has been shown to be a plasma membrane glycoprotein responsible for the cellular binding and endocytosis of plasma lipoproteins. Inasmuch as the Golgi apparatus has been shown to participate in glycoprotein processing and in the assembly of plasma lipoproteins by hepatic and intestinal epithelial cells, the present studies were designed to test the hypothesis that lipoprotein receptors are present within Golgi membranes. Utilizing ligand blotting with a variety of iodinated lipoproteins, several lipoprotein-binding proteins were identified in rat liver Golgi membranes at apparent molecular weights (Mr) 200,000, 160,000, 130,000, 120,000, 100,000, 80,000, and 70,000. The 130,000 protein was the most prominent and was identified as the mature LDL receptor by its binding characteristics and an Mr characteristic of the plasma membrane receptor. Enzymatic deglycosylation studies suggested that the 120,000 and 100,000 proteins were LDL receptor precursors lacking sialic acid. Antibody to the LDL receptor recognized all the bands on immunoblots except the 70,000 protein, with the 130,000 protein being the most prominent. Isolation of the Golgi fractions in the presence of protease inhibitors did not eliminate any of the proteins recognized by the antibody but did result in sharper bands on the blots. Additionally, we investigated the hypothesis that conditions that regulate plasma membrane LDL receptors also cause detectable changes in receptors in Golgi membranes. All the binding proteins were increased in Golgi membranes from rats treated with 17-alpha-ethynylestradiol. Colchicine caused an accumulation of 120,000 Mr protein, suggesting blockage of final sialylation in the trans Golgi. When protein synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide, there was no reduction of mature LDL receptors in Golgi membranes, consistent with recycling of receptors through this organelle.