A fetal globulin test

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a monopeptide chain glycoprotein composed of 590 amino acids. It is an embryonic protein and is mainly produced by embryonic liver cells and yolk sacs. It can also be produced by the gastrointestinal mucosa epithelium. A small amount. AFP concentration drops rapidly after birth and approaches adult levels within months to one year. Its amino acid sequence has great homology with human serum albumin, and the genes of both are located on the same DNA strand. Normal liver cells do not produce AFP, but synthesize albumin. When hepatocellular carcinoma became cancerous, AFP was re-expressed.