AFP

AFP may refer to:

Economy

Humanities

Media

Military forces

Alpha-fetoprotein

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP, α-fetoprotein; also sometimes called alpha-1-fetoprotein, alpha-fetoglobulin, or alpha fetal protein) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the AFP gene. The AFP gene is located on the q arm of chromosome 4 (4q25).

AFP is a major plasma protein produced by the yolk sac and the liver during fetal development. It is thought to be the fetal form of serum albumin. AFP binds to copper, nickel, fatty acids and bilirubin and is found in monomeric, dimeric and trimeric forms.

Structure

AFP is a glycoprotein of 591 amino acids and a carbohydrate moiety.

Function

AFP is the most abundant plasma protein found in the human fetus. Plasma levels decrease rapidly after birth but begin decreasing prenatally starting at the end of the first trimester. Normal adult levels are usually achieved by the age of 8 to 12 months. The function of AFP in adult humans is unknown; however, in rodents it binds estradiol to prevent the transport of this hormone across the placenta to the fetus. The main function of this is to prevent the virilization of female fetuses. As human AFP does not bind estrogen, its function in humans is less clear.

AFP (TV series)

AFP is an Australian factual television show that looks at the everyday workings of the Australian Federal Police. It follows AFP investigations and operations in people smuggling, counter terrorism, bomb disposal, international drug syndicates, child sex exploitation and disaster victim identification.

All staff and crew who have worked on the show have been given Top Secret Security clearance.

In 2013, the show was transmitted in the UK on Quest under the title Australia's Toughest Cops.

Episodes

Season 1 (2011)

Season 2 (2012)

References

External links