Human hepatoma cell (Hep G2) gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT), a 120 ka single-chain glycoprotein, is much larger than the expected precursor of the dimeric enzyme in other human tissues. However, the Hep G2 gamma-GT mRNA encodes a 63 kDa peptide, similar to that of rat gamma-GT mRNA product and to the predicted, unglycosylated precursor of the enzyme in human tissues. Translation in presence of dog pancreas microsomes results in processing of the 63 kDa to an 80 kDa core-glycosylated species which is subsequently cleaved to 58 and 22 kDa subunits resembling those in other human tissues. The unusually large Mr of gamma-GT in Hep G2 would thus seem to be due to further glycosylation and processing in the Golgi. A deficiency of the processing protease is the most likely reason for the persistence of the single-chain form of gamma-GT in Hep G2 cells.