title: Cloninig and characterisation of Alpha-Fetoprotein receptor
reg no: ETF6152
project type: Estonian Science Foundation research grant
status: accepted
institution: CELECURE
head of project: Harri Altroff
duration: 01.01.2005 - 31.12.2007
description: Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a major alpha-globulin of early embryonic serum in mammals. AFP possesses several activities like transport of polyunsaturated fatty acids, inactivation of estrogens and may have also a function as immunosuppressive agent. Determination of AFP level in blood is a marker of several pathological conditions. The routinely applied prenatal diagnosis is a standard that indicates spinal column defects (spina bifida), anencephaly and Down syndrome. An elevated AFP level is observed in case of many malignancies like embryonal carcinoma, testicular, ovarian and retroperitoneal tumors and tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The function of AFP in these pathological conditions is not clear and further research toward characterization of the AFP receptor is crucial to the understanding of AFP function. Several AFP binding membrane proteins have been isolated, unfortunately the structure of these proteins still remains uncovered.
The aim of current project is to clone and characterize AFP receptor(s). The study will yield new information about the mechanism of AFP action thereby helping to better understand the biology of this widely observed and multifunctional protein. Completion of the study will uncover the sequence of the membrane receptor(s) behind AFP function. Named protein(s) could serve as a diagnostic tumor marker as well as target for AFP as a specific transporter of antitumor drugs into tumor tissue

project group
no name institution position  
1.Aire AllikasCELECURElaboratory manager 
2.Harri AltroffCELECURESenior research associate 
3.Annemari LinnoCELECUREresearcher 
4.Kristiina TamboomCELECUREresearcher 
5.Andres ValknaCelecure/KBFICSO, senior research fellow