title: [Structure and expression of alpha-fetoprotein gene--current progress in research].
abstract: alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is of great biological and medical interest because its concentration in the serum often increases drastically in association with the development of hepatomas and germ cell tumors. Thus, studies of mechanisms of regulation of AFP synthesis may contribute to our understanding of normal and neoplastic growth processes. This article will review recent advances in the study of the structure, expression and regulation of the AFP gene in normal and malignant cells.
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000032:analysis; D008745:Methylation; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification; D051381:Rats; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins