Gene Symbol | AFP |
Entrez Gene ID | 174 |
Full Name | alpha fetoprotein |
Synonyms | AFPD,FETA,HPAFP |
General protein information |
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Gene Type | protein-coding |
Organism | Homo sapiens(human) |
Genome | |
Summary | This gene encodes alpha-fetoprotein, a major plasma protein produced by the yolk sac and the liver during fetal life. Alpha-fetoprotein expression in adults is often associated with hepatoma or teratoma. However, hereditary persistance of alpha-fetoprotein may also be found in individuals with no obvious pathology. The protein is thought to be the fetal counterpart of serum albumin, and the alpha-fetoprotein and albumin genes are present in tandem in the same transcriptional orientation on chromosome 4. Alpha-fetoprotein is found in monomeric as well as dimeric and trimeric forms, and binds copper, nickel, fatty acids and bilirubin. The level of alpha-fetoprotein in amniotic fluid is used to measure renal loss of protein to screen for spina bifida and anencephaly. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]. |
Disorder MIM: | |
Disorder Html: | [Hereditary persistence of alpha-fetoprotein], 615970 (3); Alpha-fetoprotein deficiency, 615969 (3) |