Human oviductal fluid proteins. V. Identification of human oviductin-I as alpha-fetoprotein.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether human oviductin-I (hOV-I) from human oviductal fluid (hOF) and human alpha-fetoprotein (hAFP) are identical molecules.


METHODS
Comparison of amino acid and carbohydrate composition of hOV-I with that of hAFP. Isolation of hAFP from oviductal fluid of a patient and evaluation of its immunochemical properties in relation to hOV-I and authentic hAFP standard.


METHODS
Procedures were performed in an academic research environment.


METHODS
Human oviductin-I was isolated from a pooled sample of hOF obtained from four patients in a third world country. AFP was purified from a sample of oviductal fluid obtained from a single patient during her periovulatory period.


METHODS
Human oviductal fluid was collected coincident to elective tubal ligations.


METHODS
The amino acid and carbohydrate composition of hOV-I was determined. AFP was purified from hOF using ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The identity between hOV-I and hAFP from hOF was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western immunoblot analysis.


RESULTS
The amino acid and carbohydrate composition of hOV-I indicated similarities between hOV-I and hAFP. Both hOV-I and hAFP reacted with mouse anti-hAFP monoclonal antibody and purified polyclonal rabbit anti-hOV-I immunoglobulin G in an identical manner as observed by noncompetitive ELISA. Purified AFP from hOF of a single patient had a molecular mass of 66 kd and was found to be identical with hOV-I by Western immunoblot analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Human oviductin-I and hAFP are chemically similar and immunologically identical molecules. We believe that this finding is the first documentation for the existence of AFP in hOF.
Wagh
P V
PV
Department of Biochemical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, State University of New York, Buffalo.
Lippes
J
J
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000378:metabolism*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000737:chemistry; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D006023:Glycoproteins; D011506:Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins