HGNC ID: 317
Target Abstract:
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the most predominant plasma protein produced by the yolk sac and liver during embryonic development. After birth, its concentration in the plasma rapidly decreases, but it starts declining during the last 3 months of pregnancy. It usually reaches normal adult levels around 8-12 months after birth. The measurement of AFP levels in maternal blood or amniotic fluid is used for screening and detecting abnormal fetal development. AFP levels can be elevated in certain conditions, including umbilical hernia, primary hepatocellular carcinoma, neural tube defects, non-seminomatous germ cell tumors, yolk sac tumors, and cerebellar ataxia telangiectasia.
AFP Target Infomation Overview
- Target Symbol: AFP, alpha fetoprotein
- Alias: FETA
- Previous Names: HPAFP
- Alias Names: alpha-fetoprotein
AFP, alpha fetoprotein Target Infomation by Species
- Human
- Mouse
- Rat
Human AFP Target Information
- Target Symbol: AFP, alpha fetoprotein
- Alias:
- AFPD
- alpha-1-fetoprotein
- alpha-fetoglobulin
- alpha-fetoprotein
- FETA
- HPAFP
- NCBI_Gene: 174
- UniProtKB: P02771
Human AFP Predicted Functions
Predicted to enable fatty acid binding activity and zinc ion binding activity. Predicted to act upstream of or within SMAD protein signal transduction; ovulation from ovarian follicle; and progesterone metabolic process. Predicted to be located in endoplasmic reticulum lumen. Predicted to be active in cytoplasm. Implicated in hepatitis C. Biomarker of carcinoma (multiple); germ cell cancer (multiple); and reproductive organ cancer (multiple).
Mouse Afp Target Information
- Target Symbol: Afp, alpha fetoprotein
- Alias:
- alpha-foetoprotein
- NCBI_Gene: 11576
Mouse Afp Predicted Functions
Predicted to enable fatty acid binding activity and zinc ion binding activity. Acts upstream of or within SMAD protein signal transduction; ovulation from ovarian follicle; and progesterone metabolic process. Located in cytoplasm and extracellular space. Is expressed in several structures, including amniotic fluid; egg cylinder; gut; liver and biliary system; and metanephros. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in hepatitis C. Orthologous to human AFP (alpha fetoprotein).
Rat Afp Target Information
- Target Symbol: Afp, alpha-fetoprotein
- Alias:
- alpha-1-fetoprotein
- alpha-fetoglobulin
- chloride intracellular channel 6
- NCBI_Gene: 24177
Rat Afp Predicted Functions
Predicted to enable fatty acid binding activity and zinc ion binding activity. Involved in several processes, including cellular response to retinoic acid; liver regeneration; and response to dexamethasone. Located in cytosol and extracellular space. Biomarker of hepatitis. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in hepatitis C. Orthologous to human AFP (alpha fetoprotein).
