SDS
Other Names
Porcine Alpha fetoprotein ELISA kit
AFP;aFP; A-FP; FETA; HPAFP; Alpha-Fetoglobulin; Alpha-1-fetoprotein
Research Area
Cardiovascular; Cancer; Developmental Biology
Background
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. 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. The rodent AFP system can be overridden with massive injections of estrogen; which overwhelm the AFP system and will masculinize the fetus. The masculinizing effect of estrogens may seem counter-intuitive since estrogens are critical for the proper development of female secondary characteristics during puberty. However; this is not the case prenatally. Gonadal hormones from the testes; such as testosterone and antimullerian hormone are required to cause development of a phenotypic male. Without these hormones the fetus will develop into a phenotypic female even if genetically XY. Interestingly; the conversion of testosterone into estradiol by aromatase in many tissues may be an important step in masculinization of that tissue. Masculinization of the brain is thought to occur both by conversion of testosterone into estradiol by aromatase; but also by de novo synthesis of estrogens within the brain. Thus; AFP may protect the fetus from maternal estradiol that would otherwise have a masculinizing effect on the fetus; but its exact role is still controversial.
|
Product Name |
AFP ELISA |
|
Species |
Porcine |
|
Product Size |
96/48 Tests |
|
Concentration |
250-5000 pg/mL |
|
Sensitivity |
25.6 pg/mL |
|
Principle |
Sandwich ELISA |
|
Sample Volume |
50 ul |
|
Assay Time |
90 minutes |
|
Platform |
Microplate Reader |
|
Conjugate |
HRP |
|
Detection Method |
Colorimetric |
|
Storage |
2-8°C |
|
|
For reference use only.
Four parameter Logisticcurve regression
Formular: y = (A - D) / [1 + (x/C)^B] + D
A = 2.70865
B = -1.64272
C = 920.01771
D = 0.06326
r^2 = 0.99618
|
1. Protocols for ELISA
.gif){kind=small}
1) Direct ELISA
2) Direct ELISA Using Fluorescent Substrate
3) Indirect ELISA
4) Sandwich ELISA
2. Protocols for IHC ICC
1) Determining if the antibody binds only phosphorylated protein (WB or IHC)
2) Double immunofluorescence-sequential protocol
3) Double immunofluorescence-simultaneous protocol
4) Fixation and Permeabilization In IHC ICC
5) Glycol Methalacrylate Acrylic Resin Embedding For IHC
9) Immunohistochemistry (IHC-Fr) - Frozen Sections
3. Protocols for WB
4) S-100 Mitochondrial Fractionation
5) Stripping for Reprobing Western Blots
7) Western Blotting - A Beginner's Guide
8) Western Blotting of Phospho-Proteins
9) Western Blotting Using Antibodies Against Histone Proteins
4. Protocols for IP
2) Using IgM antibodies for IP
5. Protocols for FACS
1) Direct Staining Protocol (Cell Surface Staining)
3) Flow Cytometry Whole Blood Samples-Red Blood Cell Lysis
4) Indirect Staining Protocol (Cell Surface Staining)
6) Recommended Controls for FACS
6. Protocols for ELISPOT
1) ELISPOT
1. Do I have to run all of my standards and samples in duplicate?
Yes, the duplicates are run in order to monitor assay precision and increase confidence in the assay results obtained.
2. Do I have to run all of my samples at one time?
No, each kit uses stripwell microplate. This allows the user to analyse different numbers of samples at different times.
3. What types of reproducible results are obtained with the assays?
Each kit comes with a manual containing a graph of typical data obtained. Any variation in operator, pipetting and washing technique, incubation time or temperature, and kit age can cause variation in result. Each user should obtain their own standard curve.
4. Is it possible to store the reagents other than indicated?
Storage of the kit components under conditions other than indicated is not recommended in order to assure proper performance of the test.
5. How should I store my samples?
Samples should be stored at -20oC or lower temperature. For long-term storage, it is recommended to freeze them at -70oC -80oC.
6. Can I modify the protocol?
BG ELISA kits have been optimized to provide the best possible results. Modifying the format or protocol may give inaccurate and wrong results.
7. Can I use a sample type that is not recommended in the kit insert?
The kit has been validated for the sample types listed in the kit insert. Sample types other than those validated have not been tested. Contact Technical Service for further information.
8. My samples generated values that were outside the dynamic range of the assay. Can I use these values?
It is recommended that only sample values that fall within the range of the standard curve be used. Values outside the range of the standard curve are generally non-linear, which can lead to incorrectly extrapolated values. Samples that generate values higher than the highest standard should be (further) diluted and the assay repeated. If samples fall below the range of the assay, the sample is considered to be non-detectable.
9. Do I have to run a Blank or Zero Standards every time?
Yes, these are required for the calculations, and reflect any subtle but significant performance changes from day to day and assay to assay. They are also extremely helpful when troubleshooting the source of a particular assay problem.
10. Can I alter the volume of sample I use in the assay?
It is not recommended that you alter the volumes since all BG kits are designed for optimal performance at the given volumes
11. Can components from different kits be used?
Each kit contains components which have specific lot numbers to ensure that all of the components are performing optimally alone, as well as with all of the other components in the kit. QC testing is performed on these specific lots. It is never recommended to use your own components or components from other kits or vendors.
12. My standard curve looked fine, but I didn’t get a signal in my sample when I expected to, why?
The sample may not contain the analyte. A matrix effect may be masking the detection. Ensure that the recommended dilution was followed as stated in the kit insert. If dilution was recommended, check to be sure that the dilution was performed properly. Over-dilution may cause the sample to fall below the range of the standard curve.
13. How do you recommend I wash my plate?
If you are using an automated plate washer we recommend that the calibration be checked on a regular basis, and that the system is flushed with the Plate Washing Buffer prior to washing. The same is true for a manual washer. A repeater or a wash bottle can also be used. The user should be careful to ensure that all of the contents are aspirated and the plate tapped dry on lint-free paper.
14. Do I need to use a plate shaker?
Reliable results can be obtained without a plate shaker, but the O.D.'s will generally be lower than those obtained using a plate shaker.
15. Why do I have to use wavelength correction between 450-570nm?
For the ELISA assay, reading at dual wavelengths is done to correct for the optical density contributed by the plastic well, the lamp and optical fluctuations.
16. If I extract my sample, do I still need to follow the recommended dilutions given in the kit insert?
The amount of sample dilution needed after an extraction procedure will be affected by the effects of purification and concentration in the protocol used. The amount of dilution or concentration will have to be determined by the end-user.
17. What is the expected concentration of analyte that I should expect to find?
The amount of a given analyte may vary not only from species-to-species, but also between tissue and cellular sources. The best source of this information is the current literature that is easily accessed through the Internet at multiple scientific databases.
18. My optical densities were a little higher (or lower) than those in the manual that came with my kit. Why?
The optical density is affected by a number of physical conditions such as time and temperature. We suggest that you shorten or lengthen the final incubation with substrate solution to compensate.
19. What are the reasons for High Background?
1) Improper Washing: Check volume of washing buffer reservoir and make sure all recommended washing steps are performed.
2) Contaminated Substrate: Make sure there is no contamination of the substrate with metal ions or oxidizing reagents, before use. Keep the extra substrate solution separately during the ELISA substrate development time.
3) Substrate exposed to light: Exposure to light may result in a blue color of the substrate. Keep solutions in the dark (vial) until ready to dispense into the plate.
4) Wrong Incubation Times/Temperatures: Generally follow the test protocol regarding incubation times and temperatures. However, if all wells are intensely and equally colored with no intensity gradient observed in the standard dilution series, then it may be necessary to observe the substrate reaction as the color is developing, in order to stop the reaction sooner.
