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ProteinQ306076· pop 26· linked from 135 articles

alpha fetoprotein

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Also known as AFP, alpha-1-fetoprotein, alpha-fetoprotein, alpha-fetoglobulin, alpha-Fetoproteins

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP, α-fetoprotein; also sometimes called alpha-1-fetoprotein, alpha-fetoglobulin, or alpha fetal protein) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the AFP gene. The AFP gene is located on the q arm of chromosome 4 (4q13.3). Maternal AFP serum level is used to screen for Down syndrome, neural tube defects, and other chromosomal abnormalities.

Protein · UniProt

Alpha-fetoprotein

Gene
AFP
Organism
Homo sapiens (Human)
Length
609 aa
Molecular mass
68,678 Da
Evidence
1: Evidence at protein level

Binds copper, nickel, and fatty acids as well as, and bilirubin less well than, serum albumin. Only a small percentage (less than 2%) of the human AFP shows estrogen-binding properties

3D-structureCopperDirect protein sequencingDisulfide bondGlycoproteinMetal-bindingNickelPhosphoprotein
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Swiss-Prot (reviewed) · via UniProt

Wikidata facts

Mass
68678
Image
AFP prot.png
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Sources (7)

via Wikidata · CC0

~6 min read

Article

10 sections
Contents
  • Structure
  • Function
  • Serum levels
  • Maternal
  • Infants
  • Clinical significance
  • See also
  • References
  • Further reading
  • External links

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP, α-fetoprotein; also sometimes called alpha-1-fetoprotein, alpha-fetoglobulin, or alpha fetal protein) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the AFP gene. The AFP gene is located on the q arm of chromosome 4 (4q13.3). Maternal AFP serum level is used to screen for Down syndrome, neural tube defects, and other chromosomal abnormalities.

AFP is a major plasma protein produced by the yolk sac and the fetal liver during fetal development. It is thought to be the fetal analog of serum albumin. AFP binds to copper, nickel, fatty acids and bilirubin and is found in monomeric, dimeric and trimeric forms.

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