Alpha-fetoprotein also referred as alpha foetal protein is coded by gene AFP in humans. The liver and yolk sac produce this major plasma protein during the development of the foetus. It is found in monomeric, dimeric, and trimeric forms and is known to bind with nickel, copper, bilirubin, and fatty acids.

 

Rat Alpha-fetoprotein can be overridden by excessive estrogen injection which leads to overwhelming AFP system which leads to change by masculinizing the foetus. This masculinizing effect of estrogen is counter-intuitive as estrogen is important for secondary characteristics development in females during puberty.

 

The current study by Garcia et al shows that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) present in the brain during embryonic development has its peaking concentrations of E 15.5 to e 19.5. The point after alpha-fetoprotein reaches E19.5 concentrations lead to sharp increase in serum albumin concentrations. The concentrations of free oleic acid in brain were observed to be inversely proportional to alpha-fetoprotein concentrations. This suggests that the signals which are elicited by alpha-fetoprotein and oleic acid are inversely linked.

 

GAP-43 is a marker for axonal growth which is expressed at high levels in the presence of oleic acid. Alpha-fetoprotein prevented the increase in levels of GAP-43 in vitro and in organotypic cultures of embryonic rat brain. This suggests that alpha-fetoprotein modulates the serum albumin effects on development of brain.