Catalogue

Background
The reactivity of the antiserum is restricted to alpha-foetoprotein. In immunoelectrophoresis and radial immunodiffusion, using various antiserum concentrations against amniotic fluid, hepatoma sera and purified alpha-foetoprotein a single precipitin line is obtained. No precipitation reaction is obtained with normal human serum. In precipitating techniques as immunoelectrophoresis and single and double radial immunodiffusion (Mancini, Ouchterlony) to identify the presence of alpha-foetoprotein or to determine its concentration.

Source
Purified human alpha-foetoprotein is isolated from pooled amniotic fluid and hepatoma serum, using a proprietary multiple step method. Several foetoproteins have been demonstrated in human foetal serum and amniotic fluid. One of the best studied is the alphafoetoprotein. It cab easily be identified immunochemically because of its distinct antigenicity. In electrophoresis its relative mobility is between the albumin and alpha-1 globulin fractions. Its molecular weight is 64,000, the carbohydrate content is relatively low. The concentration of alpha-foetoprotein gradually decreases during foetal growth. It is not found in normal adult serum, but reappears in most human developing hepatoma. In pooled foetal/newborn serum a concentration of 1 mg/ml has been measured. Freund’s complete adjuvant is used in the first step of the immunization procedure.

Product
Delipidated, heat inactivated, lyophilized, stable whole antiserum. No preservative added. Total protein and IgG concentrations in the antiserum are comparable to those of pooled normal rabbit serum. No foreign proteins added. Reconstitute the lyophilized antiserum by adding 1 ml sterile distilled water.

Formulation: Delipidated, heat inactivated, lyophilized, stable whole antiserum. No preservative added. Total protein and IgG concentrations in the antiserum are comparable to those of pooled normal rabbit serum. No foreign proteins added.

Specificity
Precipitating polyclonal Rabbit antiSerum to Human alpha-foetoprotein.

Species Reactivity: The antiSerum does not cross react with any other Human plasma proteins as tested in geldiffusion techniques. Inter-species cross reactivity is a normal feature of antibodies to mammalian Serum proteins, since homologous proteins of different species frequently share antigenic determinants. Cross-reactivity of this antiSerum has not been tested in detail.

Applications
Precipitation assays. In immunoelectrophoresis use 2 μl amniotic fluid or equivalent against 120 μl antiserum. In double radial immunodiffusion use a rosette arrangement with 10 μl antiserum in 3 mm diameter center well and 2 μl amniotic fluid or hepatoma serum samples (neat and serially diluted) in 2 mm diameter peripheral wells.

Storage
The lyophilized antiserum is shipped at ambient temperature and may be stored at +4°C; prolonged storage at or below -20°C. Dilutions may be prepared by adding phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.2). Repeated thawing and freezing should be avoided. If a slight precipitation occurs upon storage, this should be removed by centrifugation. It will not affect the performance of the antiserum. Diluted antiserum should be stored at +4°C, not refrozen, and preferably used the same day

Caution
This product is intended FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY, and FOR TESTS IN VITRO, not for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures involving humans or animals. It may contain hazardous ingredients. Please refer to the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for additional information and proper handling procedures. Dispose product remainders according to local regulations.This datasheet is as accurate as reasonably achievable, but our company accepts no liability for any inaccuracies or omissions in this information.

Protein Reference(s)

Database Name: UniProt

Accession Number: P02771