Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a major plasma protein that is synthesized primarily in the fetal liver and gastrointestinal tract and embryonic yolk sac (1).  AFP is thought to be the fetal counterpart of serum albumin, and the AFP and albumin genes are present in tandem in the same transcriptional orientation on chromosome 4. AFP production is essentially stopped soon after birth; however, it starts up again under the stimulus of some diseases in the liver. It may be produced by the liver in viral hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver (2). AFP is also made by primary liver tumors (hepatomas) and by germ cell tumors (teratocarcinoma and embryonal cell carcinomas) hence AFP expression in adults is often associated with hepatoma or tetratoma (2-4). A person’s serum AFP level can therefore be used to help detect these conditions and monitor their treatment. Hereditary persistence of AFP may also be found in individuals with no obvious pathology. The level of AFP in amniotic fluid is used to measure renal loss of AFP protein to screen for spina bifida and anencephaly in pregnant mothers (5, 6).

AFP can be found in the amniotic fluid and in the mother’s blood.  AFP is found in monomeric as well as dimeric and trimeric forms, and binds copper, nickel, fatty acids and bilirubin that serves as the basis for some valuable tests.  A problem with the fetus, placenta, a tumor or liver disease in a pregnant woman could result in abnormally high levels of AFP in the serum of that pregnant woman. Abnormally elevated level of AFP in amniotic fluid could be due to open neural tube defect, open abdominal wall defect, congenital nephrosis and other causes. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is approximately 70 kDa (609 Amino Acids) protein.

AFP-selective antibodies were generated against purified human alfafetoprotein (AFP).  AFP-antibodies are affinity purified over immobilized antigen based chromatography, and the purified immunoglobulins are stabilized in antibody stabilization buffer. FabGennix Int. Inc., will also provide limited quantities of antigenic blocking protein for AFP-101AP antibody. Antibodies to AFP (AFP-101AP) will label 69-70kDa AFP protein in Western blot positive control samples for AFP and several other tissues.  FabGennix Inc. will also conjugate antibodies with secondary enzymes (alk-Pase or HRP) or fluorescent probes upon request at a nominal cost. For a complete listing of FabGennix Inc., antibodies please visit www.fabgennix.com.