Human Alpha Fetoprotein not AFP Apple Filing Protocol

I know this is a burning question that everyone has on their mind such as where does AFP come from, what is it exactly and I'm not talking about "Apple Filing Protocol" but alpha fetoprotein AFP which is protein used in a number of blood tests for screening.

Lee Biosolutions is a major supplier of tumor markers such as alpha fetoprotein for the clinical diagnostic . We also specialize in the development and purification of cardiac markers , tumor markers , acute phase proteins , coagulation proteins and immunoassay biomarkers .

Now What is AFP exactly? Human AFP , is a major serum protein of 590 amino acids and a carbohydrate moiety that is normally produced by the fetal yolk sac, the fetal gastrointestinal tract, and eventually by the fetal liver. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has a molecular weight of about 69 kDa. According to an article in Tumor Biology there have been at least 4 subfractions expressing different epitopes that were found in native alpha fetoprotein.

Published reports indicate that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) , expression in adults is often associated with hepatoma or teratoma . The protein is thought to be the fetal counterpart of serum albumin. The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) , and albumin genes are present in tandem in the same transcriptional orientation on chromosome 4. In addition Alpha fetoprotein binds copper, nickel, fatty acids and bilirubin . The level of alpha fetoprotein in amniotic fluid is used to measure renal loss of protein to screen for spina bifida and anencephaly. Expression has been documented in human adrenal, liver, ovary, testis, and pancreas .

According to WebMDonline an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test is used to check the level of AFP in a pregnant woman's blood to help see whether the baby may have such problems as spina bifida or anencephaly and chromosomal problems, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21) or Edward syndrome (trisomy 18).

According to the American Pregnancy association the Triple Test is to determine any potential genetic disorders. The triple test involves testing for Alpha feto protein , Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and unconjugated estriol.