Serum alpha-fetoprotein subfractions in pregnant women identified by the modified method of lectin affinity crossed-line immunoelectrophoresis.
Using a modified method of lectin affinity crossed-line immunoelectrophoresis, we studied the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) subfractions in sera from 12 pregnant Japanese women, at 22 and 42 weeks of gestation. The method involves the first dimension electrophoresis in agarose gel containing concanavalin A (Con A) or lentil lectin (LCH), the second dimension immunoelectrophoresis in agarose gel containing polyclonal antibody against AFP, reaction with peroxidase-conjugated Protein A and staining with 4-methoxy-1-naphthol. We found that type a of Con A or type C of LCH was the only subfraction present in maternal circulation at the second or third trimester. These AFP subfractions were assumed to be of fetal liver-origin. The minimum concentration which yielded an immunoprecipitation peak was approximately 100 ng/ml, being twenty times more sensitive than the conventional lectin affinity crossed-line immunoelectrophoresis.
Ishiguro
T
T
Sakaguchi
H
H
Fukui
M
M
Sugitachi
I
I
D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D003208:Concanavalin A; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis / Q000379:methods*; D007123:Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011247:Pregnancy; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013205:Staphylococcal Protein A; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D013205:Staphylococcal Protein A; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; C033619:lentil lectin; D003208:Concanavalin A