The major serum protein of fetal and newborn pigs: biochemical properties and identification as a fetal form of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein.
The major protein component of fetal pig serum, has been immunologically identified as alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid). Amino acid composition and total carbohydrate content (around 38% by weight) were similar in the adult and fetal forms of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein. These forms differ, however, in the proportion of individual monosaccharides. Fucose, represented the 1.5% (by weight) in the fetal protein, and the 2.5% in its adult counterpart. The latter was more susceptible to neuraminidase and also possesses a higher mannose/galactose ratio than the fetal form. Insolubilized Concanavalin A (Con A) retained 80% of the adult protein, whereas the fetal form was mostly Con A-non reactive. The proportion of this -non reactive fraction, as revealed by crossed immuno-affino-electrophoresis experiments, was age-dependent and varied from 62% at fetal age of 50-60 days to 80% at birth.
D000367:Age Factors; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D003208:Concanavalin A; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis*; D009439:Neuraminidase; D009961:Orosomucoid / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013552:Swine / Q000097:blood*
D000596:Amino Acids; D001798:Blood Proteins; D002241:Carbohydrates; D009961:Orosomucoid; D003208:Concanavalin A; D009439:Neuraminidase