Anti-alpha 1 Fetoprotein/AFP Antibody Picoband®

AFP, also called Alpha-fetoprotein; alpha-fetoprotein, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the AFP gene. It is mapped to 4q13.3. The level of AFP in amniotic fluid is used to measure renal loss of protein to screen for spina bifida and anencephaly. In rodents AFP binds estradiol to prevent the transport of this hormone across the placenta to the fetus. The main function of this is to prevent the virilization of female fetuses. Moreover, it has an important role as a diagnostic marker, especially in certain tumors and liver diseases of childhood. AFP is also used to test the potential usefulness of plasma alpha fetoprotein determination as a diagnostic marker in biliary atresia, hepatitis, and yolk sac derived tumours.

E.coli-derived human AFP recombinant protein (Position: Q378-V609) . Human AFP shares 71% and 73% amino acid (aa) sequences identity with mouse and rat AFP, respectively.

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.

1. Carter CS (2002) . Neuroendocrinology of sexual behavior in the female. In Becker JB. Behavioral Endocrinology. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. pp.88-89. ISBN 0-262-52321-3 2. Bader D, Riskin A, Vafsi O, Tamir A, Peskin B, Israel N, Merksamer R, Dar H, David M (November 2004) . Alpha-fetoprotein in the early neonatal period--a large study and review of the literature. Clin. Chim. Acta 349 (1-2) : 15–23. 3. Blair JI, Carachi R, Gupta R, Sim FG, McAllister EJ, Weston R (April 1987) . Plasma alpha fetoprotein reference ranges in infancy: effect of prematurity. Arch. Dis. Child. 62 (4) : 362–9.

Store at -20°C for one year from date of receipt. After reconstitution, at 4°C for one month. It can also be aliquotted and stored frozen at -20°C for six months. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.