title: Novel alpha-fetoprotein-V messenger RNA isoforms in humans.
abstract: It has been demonstrated that several messenger RNA (mRNA) isoforms have been transcribed from the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene. In rats, it was reported that the novel exon, termed the exon V, exists between the exons 7 and 8, and the novel mRNA isoform (termed AFP-V mRNA) is synthesized using the exon V. In this study, a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed and quantitative analysis was done on the AFP mRNA to identify the exon V and the AFP-V mRNA in humans. As a result, 2 novel exons, the exons VA and VB, were identified. Furthermore, 3 novel AFP mRNAs, the AFP-V1, -V2, and -V3 mRNA, were demonstrated to be expressed through alternative splicing. Expression of the AFP-V2 mRNA isoform and the wild-type mRNA was differentially regulated, implying that the AFP-V mRNA isoforms could be used in diagnosis and classification of hepatocellular carcinoma and ovarian carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Yamanashi, Shimokato, Yamanashi, Japan.
authors.forename: Hikaru
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tagaya
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fukasawa
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shoda
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoshi
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirata
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics; D017398:Alternative Splicing; D001483:Base Sequence; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018240:Endodermal Sinus Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D005091:Exons; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C097353:AFP protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins