title: The alpha-fetoprotein third domain receptor binding fragment: in search of scavenger and associated receptor targets.
abstract: Recent studies have demonstrated that the carboxyterminal third domain of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP-CD) binds with various ligands and receptors. Reports within the last decade have established that AFP-CD contains a large fragment of amino acids that interact with several different receptor types. Using computer software specifically designed to identify protein-to-protein interaction at amino acid sequence docking sites, the computer searches identified several types of scavenger-associated receptors and their amino acid sequence locations on the AFP-CD polypeptide chain. The scavenger receptors (SRs) identified were CD36, CD163, Stabilin, SSC5D, SRB1 and SREC; the SR-associated receptors included the mannose, low-density lipoprotein receptors, the asialoglycoprotein receptor, and the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE). Interestingly, some SR interaction sites were localized on the AFP-derived Growth Inhibitory Peptide (GIP) segment at amino acids #480-500. Following the detection studies, a structural subdomain analysis of both the receptor and the AFP-CD revealed the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) repeats, extracellular matrix-like protein regions, amino acid-rich motifs and dimerization subdomains. For the first time, it was reported that EGF-like sequence repeats were identified on each of the three domains of AFP. Thereafter, the localization of receptors on specific cell types were reviewed and their functions were discussed.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Division of Translational Medicine, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health , Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY , USA.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Mizejewski
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins
keywords: Alpha-fetoprotein; binding proteins; fragments; growth inhibitory peptide; macrophages; monocytes; scavenger receptors; third domain