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ALPHA FETO PROTEIN
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP, -
fetoprotein; also sometimes
calledalpha-1-fetoprotein, alpha-
fetoglobulin, or alpha fetal
protein) is a protein[1][2] that in
humans is encoded by the AFP gene.
[3][4] TheAFP gene is located on the
q arm of chromosome 4 (4q25).
AFP is a major plasma protein
produced by the yolk sac and the
liver during fetal development. It is
thought to be the fetal form of
serum albumin. AFP binds to copper,
nickel, fatty acids and bilirubin[4] and
is found in monomeric, dimeric and
trimeric forms.
Structure
Elevated alpha-fetoprotein
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. Some of the diseases
in which AFP will be elevated in a
person are listed below:
Hepatocellular carcinoma/hepatoma: -
fetoprotein[23]
Neural tube defects: -fetoprotein in
amniotic fluid and maternal serum[23][24]
Nonseminomatous germ cell tumors
Yolk sac tumor[23]
Ataxia telangiectasia: Elevation of AFP is
used as one factor in the diagnosis
of ataxia telangiectasia.(POOR
coordination)
Tumors: AFP 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.