Synthesis of alpha-fetoprotein and some other serum proteins in testicular tumors.
Serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein were determined in 33 patients with testicular germ cell tumors and were normal in 11 patients with seminoma and in one patient with matured teratoma; high levels were observed in 19 of 21 patients with embryonal carcinoma, teratocarcinoma, or a mixed type of these germ cell tumors. Tissues from the testicular germ cell tumors were cultivated with 14C-labeled leucine. After incubation, the culture media were subjected to immunoelectrophoretic and autoradiographic analyses. The results were: (i) Radioactive alpha-fetoprotein, albumin, transferrin, and alpha1-globulin appeared in the culture media of embryonal carcinomas obtained from two infants. (ii) Radioactive albumin and alpha1-globulin appeared in the culture media of a mixed type tumor metastasized from testis to retroperitoneal region. (iii) No such radioactive proteins appeared in the culture media of primary seminomas.
D000328:Adult; D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001345:Autoradiography; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004407:Dysgerminoma / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013724:Teratoma / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014168:Transferrin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000510:Alpha-Globulins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014168:Transferrin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins