Jump to content

Alpha-fetoprotein: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Spelling and grammar
Line 2: Line 2:
{{PBB|geneid=174}}
{{PBB|geneid=174}}


'''Alpha-Fatal Protein''' ('''AFP''', '''α-fetoprotein'''; also sometimes called '''alpha-1-fetoprotein''' or '''alpha-fetoglobulin''') is a [[protein]]<ref name="pmid67821">{{cite journal | author = Tomasi TB | title = Structure and function of alpha-fetoprotein | journal = Annual review of medicine | volume = 28 | issue = | pages = 453–65 | year = 1977 | pmid = 67821 | doi = 10.1146/annurev.me.28.020177.002321 | url = }}</ref><ref name="pmid11393167">{{cite journal | author = Mizejewski GJ | title = Alpha-fetoprotein structure and function: relevance to isoforms, epitopes, and conformational variants | journal = Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.) | volume = 226 | issue = 5 | pages = 377–408 | year = 2001 | month = May | pmid = 11393167 | doi = | url = http://www.ebmonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/226/5/377 | issn = }}</ref> that in humans is encoded by the ''AFP'' [[gene]].<ref name="pmid6192711">{{cite journal | author = Harper ME, Dugaiczyk A | title = Linkage of the evolutionarily-related serum albumin and alpha-fetoprotein genes within q11-22 of human chromosome 4 | journal = American journal of human genetics | volume = 35 | issue = 4 | pages = 565–72 | year = 1983 | month = July | pmid = 6192711 | pmc = 1685723 | doi = | url = | issn = }}</ref><ref name="entrez">{{cite web | title = Entrez Gene: Alpha-fetoprotein | url = http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=gene&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=174| accessdate = }}</ref>
'''Alpha-fag Protein''' ('''AFP''', '''α-fetoprotein'''; also sometimes called '''alpha-s;fjxp;lcdkkc,d,x''' or '''alpha-fetoglobulin''') is a [[protein]]<ref name="pmid67821">{{cite journal | author = Tomasi TB | title = Structure and function of alpha-fetoprotein |some say the have destroyed babies heart = Annual review of medicine | volume = 28 | issue = | pages = 453–65 | year = 1977 | pmid = 67821 | doi = 10.1146/annurev.me.28.020177.002321 | url = }}</ref><ref name="pmid11393167">{{cite journal | author = Mizejewski GJ | title = Alpha-fetoprotein structure and function: relevance to isoforms, epitopes, and conformational variants | journal = Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.) | volume = 226 | issue = 5 | pages = 377–408 | year = 2001 | month = May | pmid = 11393167 | doi = | url = http://www.ebmonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/226/5/377 | issn = }}</ref> that in humans is encoded by the ''AFP'' [[gene]].<ref name="pmid6192711">{{cite journal | author = Harper ME, Dugaiczyk A | title = Linkage of the evolutionarily-related serum albumin and alpha-queer genes within q11-22 of human chromosome 4 | journal = American journal of human genetics | volume = 35 | issue = 4 | pages = 565–72 | year = 1983 | month = July | pmid = 6192711 | pmc = 1685723 | doi = | url = | issn = }}</ref><ref name="entrez">{{cite web | title = Entrez Gene: Alpha-fetoprotein | url = http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=gene&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=174| accessdate = }}</ref>


AFP is a major [[plasma protein]] produced by the yolk sac and the liver during fetal development that is thought to be the fetal form of [[serum albumin]]. The ''AFP'' [[gene]] is located on the q arm of [[chromosome 4]] (4q25). AFP binds to copper, nickel, [[fatty acid]]s and [[bilirubin]]<ref name="entrez"/> and is found in monomeric, dimeric and trimeric forms.
AFP is a major [[plasma protein]] produced by the yolk sac and the liver during fetal development that is thought to be the fetal form of [[serum albumin]]. The ''AFP'' [[gene]] is located on the q arm of [[chromosome 4]] (4q25). AFP binds to copper, nickel, [[fatty acid]]s and [[bilirubin]]<ref name="entrez"/> and is found in monomeric, dimeric and trimeric forms.

Revision as of 18:52, 18 April 2012

Template:PBB

Alpha-fag Protein (AFP, α-fetoprotein; also sometimes called alpha-s;fjxp;lcdkkc,d,x or alpha-fetoglobulin) is a protein[1][2] that in humans is encoded by the AFP gene.[3][4]

AFP is a major plasma protein produced by the yolk sac and the liver during fetal development that is thought to be the fetal form of serum albumin. The AFP gene is located on the q arm of chromosome 4 (4q25). AFP binds to copper, nickel, fatty acids and bilirubin[4] and is found in monomeric, dimeric and trimeric forms.

The human fetus has the highest amount of AFP levels found in humans. At the end of the first trimester, fetal AFP levels decrease. Normal adult levels are usually achieved by the age of 8 to 12 months. The function of AFP in adults is unknown; however, in fetuses it binds estradiol to prevent the transport of this hormone across the placenta. AFP is measured in pregnant women through the analysis of maternal blood or amniotic fluid, as a screening test for a subset of developmental abnormalities: it is principally increased in open neural tube defects and omphalocele, and is decreased in Down syndrome. It can also be used as a biomarker to detect a subset of tumors in non-pregnant women, men, and children. A level above 500 nanograms/milliliter of AFP in adults can be indicative of hepatocellular carcinoma, germ cell tumors, and metastatic cancers of the liver. Elevation of AFP is used as one factor in the diagnosis of ataxia telangiectasia.

In rats, AFP binds maternal estrogen, preventing its passage through the placenta. The main function of this is to prevent the feminization of male fetuses. The system can be overridden with massive injections of estrogen, which swamp the AFP system and will feminize the fetus.

Structure and levels

AFP is a glycoprotein of 591 amino acids and a carbohydrate moiety. Many functions have been proposed for AFP such as an anti-cancer active site peptide has been identified and is referred to as AFPep. In pregnant women, fetal AFP levels can be monitored in urine. AFP is cleared strongly from the kidneys allowing AFP to tend to mirror fetal serum levels. In contrast, maternal serum AFP levels are much lower but continue to rise until about week 32. This is thought to be because the mother is not utilising the AFP, and therefore clears it from her system without issue.

History

LabCorp, a large US clinical laboratory testing company, began offering AFP screening tests in the early 1980s.[5]

AFP in normal infants

The normal range of AFP for adults and children is variously reported as under 50, under 10, and under 5 ng/mL.[6][7] At birth, normal infants have AFP levels 4 or more orders of magnitude above this normal range, that decreases to a normal range over the first year of life.[8][9][10][11][12][13] During this time, the normal range of AFP levels spans approximately 2 orders of magnitude.[10] Correct evaluation of abnormal AFP levels in infants must take into account these normal patterns.[14]

Very high AFP levels may be subject to hooking (see Tumor marker), resulting in a reported high level that is nonetheless significantly lower than the actual level.[15] This is important for analysis of a series of AFP tumor marker tests, e.g. in the context of post-treatment early surveillance of cancer survivors, where the rate of decrease of AFP has diagnostic value.

See also

References

  1. ^ Tomasi TB (1977). "Structure and function of alpha-fetoprotein". 28: 453–65. doi:10.1146/annurev.me.28.020177.002321. PMID 67821. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |some say the have destroyed babies heart= ignored (help)
  2. ^ Mizejewski GJ (2001). "Alpha-fetoprotein structure and function: relevance to isoforms, epitopes, and conformational variants". Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.). 226 (5): 377–408. PMID 11393167. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ Harper ME, Dugaiczyk A (1983). "Linkage of the evolutionarily-related serum albumin and alpha-queer genes within q11-22 of human chromosome 4". American journal of human genetics. 35 (4): 565–72. PMC 1685723. PMID 6192711. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ a b "Entrez Gene: Alpha-fetoprotein".
  5. ^ LabCorp 2004 Annual Report
  6. ^ Ball D, Rose E, Alpert E (1992). "Alpha-fetoprotein levels in normal adults". Am. J. Med. Sci. 303 (3): 157–9. doi:10.1097/00000441-199203000-00004. PMID 1375809.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Sizaret P, Martel N, Tuyns A, Reynaud S (1977). "Mean alpha-fetoprotein values of 1,333 males over 15 years by age groups". Digestion. 15 (2): 97–103. doi:10.1159/000197990. PMID 65304.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Blohm ME, Vesterling-Hörner D, Calaminus G, Göbel U (1998). "Alpha 1-fetoprotein (AFP) reference values in infants up to 2 years of age". Pediatric hematology and oncology. 15 (2): 135–42. doi:10.3109/08880019809167228. PMID 9592840.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ Ohama K, Nagase H, Ogino K; et al. (1997). "Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in normal children". European Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 7 (5): 267–9. doi:10.1055/s-2008-1071168. PMID 9402482. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ a b Lee PI, Chang MH, Chen DS, Lee CY (1989). "Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels in normal infants: a reappraisal of regression analysis and sex difference". J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr. 8 (1): 19–25. doi:10.1097/00005176-198901000-00005. PMID 2471821. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Blair JI, Carachi R, Gupta R, Sim FG, McAllister EJ, Weston R (1987). "Plasma alpha fetoprotein reference ranges in infancy: effect of prematurity". Arch. Dis. Child. 62 (4): 362–9. doi:10.1136/adc.62.4.362. PMC 1778344. PMID 2439023.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Bader D, Riskin A, Vafsi O; et al. (2004). "Alpha-fetoprotein in the early neonatal period--a large study and review of the literature". Clin. Chim. Acta. 349 (1–2): 15–23. doi:10.1016/j.cccn.2004.06.020. PMID 15469851. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Wu JT, Roan Y, Knight JA (1985). "Serum levels of AFP in normal infants: their clinical and physiological significance". In Mizejewski GJ, Porter I (ed.). Alfa-Fetoprotein and Congenital Disorders. Academic Press. pp. 111–122. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |address= ignored (|location= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Tim, P; et al. "Hepatoblastoma". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)
  15. ^ Jassam N, Jones CM, Briscoe T, Horner JH (2006). "The hook effect: a need for constant vigilance". Ann. Clin. Biochem. 43 (Pt 4): 314–7. doi:10.1258/000456306777695726. PMID 16824284.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) PMID 16824284

Further reading

Template:PBB Further reading

This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.


Template:PBB Controls

Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=Alpha-fetoprotein&oldid=488046551"