Biological Roles of Alpha-Fetoprotein During Pregnancy and Perinatal Development

Abstract

The use of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as a serum marker in cancer actually predates its employment in the detection of congenital defects; however, the latter use of AFP as a fetal defect marker has propelled its clinical utilization. Although the serum-marker capacity of AFP has long been exploited, less is known of the biological activities of this oncofetal protein during fetal and perinatal development. In the present review, the biological activities of AFP are discussed in light of this glycoprotein's presence in various biological fluid compartments: embryonic and fetal tissues, serum, urine, and reproductive fluids. After a review of the histochemical detection of AFP in various cells and tissues during development, AFP concentrations within various biological fluids were discussed in the context of gestational age and anatomic location. Discussion follows concerning the relationships and roles of AFP in developmental events such as erthyropoiesis, histogenesis/organogenesis, and ligand binding and in developmental disorders such as hypothyroidism, folate deficiencies, and acquired immunodeficiency disorder (AIDS). Based on its association with so many types of birth defects, malformations, and congenital anomalies, AFP can be viewed as a molecular "troubleshooter" until signal transduction pathways are established during pregnancy and prenatal development. The review concludes with a discussion of the place of AFP in the rapidly expanding field of proteomics.

Cystathionine β-synthase deficiency causes infertility by impairing decidualization and gene expression networks in uterus implantation sites

“…6F). Afp synthesis in rodents is initiated by events prior to and during implantation (35). As shown in Fig.…”

Postnatal development of gastric aromatase and portal venous estradiol-17β levels in male rats

“…Recently, it was reported that the stomach is one of the extraovarian tissues synthesized and secreted by E 2 , and the E 2 levels in the portal vein are over ten times higher than those in the artery in normal conditions of adult male rats (Ueyama et al 2002, 2004, Kobayashi et al 2013. It is considered that much, if not all, of E 2 in the systemic circulation is derived from the stomach in immature rats.…”

“…known as the major fetal serum protein and has a very high affinity for estrogens (Lai et al 1976, Mizejewski 2004. Although a-fetoprotein is synthesized in fetal liver and yolk sacs abundantly, it reduces exponentially postnatally and regresses by 20 days (Lai et al 1976, Nayak & Mital 1977, Greenstein 1992.…”

The Use of AFP-Complexes to Induce Apoptosis in Cancer Cells~!2008-03-12~!2008-05-20~!2008-06-12~!

“…AFP i s a known onc ology m arker [16,17,18]. F or t he addressed de livery of t he AI, we have us ed AF P which ha s highly s pecific re ceptors re -expressed on the m ajority o f cancer cells [19] and is up taken by them [20].…”