National Cancer Institute Thesaurus

Last uploaded: February 23, 2024
Preferred Name

Alpha-Fetoprotein
Synonyms

Alpha-Fetoprotein

alpha-Fetoprotein

Alpha Fetal Protein

Alpha Fetoprotein

Alpha-1-Fetoprotein

Alpha-Fetoglobulin

alpha-fetoprotein

AFP

Definitions

Alpha-fetoprotein (609 aa, ~69 kDa) is encoded by the human AFP gene. This protein plays a role in the binding to copper, nickel, bilirubin and fatty acids in the fetal circulation.

ID

http://ncicb.nci.nih.gov/xml/owl/EVS/Thesaurus.owl#C16278

ALT_DEFINITION

A protein normally produced by a fetus. AFP levels are usually undetectable in the blood of healthy adult men or women (who are not pregnant). An elevated level of AFP suggests the presence of either a primary liver cancer or germ cell tumor.

code

C16278

Concept_In_Subset

http://ncicb.nci.nih.gov/xml/owl/EVS/Thesaurus.owl#C142799

http://ncicb.nci.nih.gov/xml/owl/EVS/Thesaurus.owl#C142800

http://ncicb.nci.nih.gov/xml/owl/EVS/Thesaurus.owl#C116977

Contributing_Source

CTRP

DEFINITION

Alpha-fetoprotein (609 aa, ~69 kDa) is encoded by the human AFP gene. This protein plays a role in the binding to copper, nickel, bilirubin and fatty acids in the fetal circulation.

DesignNote

Alpha-fetoprotein is 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 persistence 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. (from LocusLink)

Display_Name

Alpha-Fetoprotein

FULL_SYN

Alpha-Fetoprotein

alpha-Fetoprotein

Alpha Fetal Protein

Alpha Fetoprotein

Alpha-1-Fetoprotein

Alpha-Fetoglobulin

alpha-fetoprotein

AFP

label

Alpha-Fetoprotein

Legacy Concept Name

Alpha-Fetoprotein

OMIM_Number

104150

Preferred_Name

Alpha-Fetoprotein

prefixIRI

Thesaurus:C16278

Semantic_Type

Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein

Swiss_Prot

P02771

UMLS_CUI

C1307640

subClassOf

http://ncicb.nci.nih.gov/xml/owl/EVS/Thesaurus.owl#C17728

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