Description
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a member of the albuminoid gene family which includes albumin, alpha-albumin, and vitamin D protein. Alpha-fetoprotein is an abundant plasma protein synthesized from fetal yolk sac, liver, and gastrointestinal tract during development. Similar to albumin, AFP binds and transports multiple ligands such as nickel, copper, billirubin, and fatty acids. AFP levels are low to absent in healthy adult tissues whereas elevated AFP levels in the adult can be indicative of malignancies. In particular, AFP is expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma, germ cell tumors, and metatstatic cancers of the liver. Maternal serum AFP levels can be monitored to screen for fetal abnormalities. AFP is used as a hepatic progenitor marker in hepatic differentiations from pluripotent stem cells.
Store undiluted at 4°C and protected from prolonged exposure to light. Do not freeze. The monoclonal antibody was purified from tissue culture supernatant or ascites by affinity chromatography. The antibody was conjugated to Alexa Fluor® 488 under optimum conditions, and unreacted Alexa Fluor® 488 was removed.
1. This reagent has been pre-diluted for use at the recommended Volume per Test. We typically use 1 × 10^6 cells in a 100-µl experimental sample (a test).
2. An isotype control should be used at the same concentration as the antibody of interest.
3. Alexa Fluor® 488 fluorochrome emission is collected at the same instrument settings as for fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC).
4. The Alexa Fluor®, Pacific Blue™, and Cascade Blue® dye antibody conjugates in this product are sold under license from Molecular Probes, Inc. for research use only, excluding use in combination with microarrays, or as analyte specific reagents. The Alexa Fluor® dyes (except for Alexa Fluor® 430), Pacific Blue™ dye, and Cascade Blue® dye are covered by pending and issued patents.
5. Alexa Fluor® is a registered trademark of Molecular Probes, Inc., Eugene, OR.
6. Accutase is a registered trademark of Innovative Cell Technologies, Inc.
7. Triton is a trademark of the Dow Chemical Company.
8. All other brands are trademarks of their respective owners.
9. Source of all serum proteins is from USDA inspected abattoirs located in the United States.
10. Caution: Sodium azide yields highly toxic hydrazoic acid under acidic conditions. Dilute azide compounds in running water before discarding to avoid accumulation of potentially explosive deposits in plumbing.
11. For fluorochrome spectra and suitable instrument settings, please refer to our Multicolor Flow Cytometry web page at www.bdbiosciences.com/colors.
12. Please refer to www.bdbiosciences.com/us/s/resources for technical protocols.
