Alpha-fetoprotein Protein, Human, Recombinant (His Tag)

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is classified as a member of the albuminoid gene superfamily consisting of albumin, AFP, vitamin D (Gc) protein, and alpha-albumin. AFP is a glycoprotein of 591 amino acids and a carbohydrate moiety. AFP is one of the several embryo-specific proteins and is a dominant serum protein as early in human embryonic life as one month, when albumin and transferrin are present in relatively small amounts. It is first synthesized in the human by the yolk sac and liver (1-2 months) and subsequently predominantly in the liver. A small amount of AFP is produced by the GI tract of the human conceptus. It has been proved that AFP may reappear in the serum in elevated amounts in adult life in association with normal restorative processes and with malignant growth. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a specific marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), teratoblastomas, and neural tube defect (NTD) .

At Leading Biology, the biological activity of a recombinant protein is routinely measured using a bioassay, e.g. chemotaxis or cell proliferation assay, enzyme assay, or a functional ELISA. When a recombinant protein is an enzyme, specific activity is derived from an enzymatic assay. Each enzyme is tested for potency by cleavage of a substrate. We are in the process of updating the biological activity data. If you have any questions regarding this update, please feel free to contact our technical support team.

Lyophilized from sterile PBS, pH 7.4. Please contact us for any concerns or special requirements. Normally 5 % - 8 % trehalose, mannitol and 0.01% Tween 80 are added as protectants before lyophilization. Please refer to the specific buffer information in the hard copy of CoA.

The recombinant human AFP consists of 602 amino acids and has a predicted molecular mass of 67.9 kDa. In SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions, the apparent molecular mass of rhAFP is approximately 65 kDa.

In general, recombinant proteins are provided as lyophilized powder which are shipped at ambient temperature. Bulk packages of recombinant proteins are provided as frozen liquid. They are shipped out with blue ice unless customers require otherwise. Stable for 1 year at -20°C or below from date of shipment. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and opening the cap. For long-term storage, aliquot and store at -20°C or below. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.