| Description : |
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP, α-fetoprotein; also sometimes called alpha-1-fetoprotein or alpha-fetoglobulin) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the AFP gene. AFP is a major plasma protein produced by the yolk sac and the liver during fetal development that is thought to be the fetal form of serum albumin. The AFP gene is located on the q arm of chromosome 4 (4q25). AFP binds to copper, nickel, fatty acids and bilirubin and is found in monomeric, dimeric and trimeric forms. |
| Species : |
Human |
| Applications : |
The material is intended to be used as a pure calibrant to establish traceability of serum-based reference materials which in turn will be employed in routine laboratory assays. If the material is used for calibration of in vitro diagnostic devices the commutability has to be assessed by the user. |
| Usage : |
To make the material ready for use, it has to be reconstituted according to the following procedure:Reconstitution bufferPhosphate Buffer Saline (PBS): 50 mmol/L phosphate buffer, pH=7.4, NaCl 0.8 g/LReconstitution procedure1. Allow ampoule to equilibrate for at least 1 hour at room temperature prior to opening.2. After ensuring that the contents are entirely in the body of the ampoule, break the snap top.3. Slowly add 1.0 mL of the reconstitution buffer to the ampoule using a calibrated dilutor. The accuracy of the dispenser is required to be better than ± 0.5% as assessed by multiple weighings of water.4. Swirl the ampoule gently and intermittently for five minutes to ensure complete dissoulution of the contents.Fllowing reconstitution, cover the ampoule with an airtight seal and store for no longer than 24 hours at 4 °C prior to its use.For dilution of the material the addition of a carrier protein is recommended. |
| Quality Control Test : |
A combination of UV absorbency measurements and amino acid analysis |
| Notes : |
The Hep G2 cell line used to produce the purified AFP material has been tested for the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen and found negative. However, the material is of human origin and must be handled with adequate care. It is intended for in vitro analysis only. |
| Storage : |
Upon arrival, the material shall be stored at -20 °C for not more than 12 months until use. However, the European Commission cannot be held responsible for changes that happen during storage of the material at the customer's premises, especially of opened samples. |
| Concentration : |
AFP mass per ampoule: 100 μg |
