From NuGOwiki
The NuGOwiki Metabolite Database is a joint initiative of NuGO and HMDB
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All Metabolites | Biochemical | Nutritional | Functional | Metabolic Pathways | Diseases | Phenotypes | Physiological Processes | Protein |
| Alpha-Fetoprotein | |
|---|---|
| [[Image:{{{Image}}}|thumb|220px|2D structure for Alpha-Fetoprotein]] | |
| Chemical Name | |
| Chemical Formula | |
| CAS Number | |
| Chemical Information | |
| Biochemical Taxonomy | |
| Functional Taxonomy | |
| Nutritional Taxonomy | |
| Metabolic Pathways | |
| Biofluid Location | |
| Tissue Location | |
| Normal Biofluid Concentrations | |
| Normal Tissue Concentrations | |
| Diseases / Conditions Related to Nutrition | |
| Other (Monogenic Disorders) | |
| Abnormal Biofluid Concentrations | |
| Abnormal Tissue Concentrations | |
| Physiological Processes | |
| Authors: | L. Pellis |
| Affiliations: | TNO, the Netherlands |
Contents |
Introduction
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the major fetal plasma protein. The concentration of AFP peaks in the fetal bloodstream at 2-3 g/l around 12-14 weeks of gestation and then falls. AFP passes into the maternal bloodstream where it may be detected by assay. Fetal malformations such as neural tube defects seen in Down’s syndrome elevate the maternal serum levels. Elevated AFP is seen most frequently in adults with germ cell tumours and hepatocellular carcinoma, but also in gastric, colon, biliary, pancreatic and lung cancers (~20% of patients).
Biological Function
The similarity in physical properties of AFP and albumin and the fact that their presence is inversely related suggested that AFP is the fetal counterpart of serum albumin.
Catabolism
Diseases / Conditions Related to Nutrition
Associated decreased protein/metabolite profile
Associated increased protein/metabolite profile
Other (Monogenic) Disorders
Nutritional Information
Drivers for biological variation