Synthesis and characterization of a recombinant fragment of human α-fetoprotein with antigenic selectivity versus albumin

A DNA sequence coding for human α-fetoprotein amino acid sequence 38-119 was synthetized and cloned in a bacterial expression vector. A chimeric protein was obtained which was purified by preparative electrophoresis and characterized in its primary structure by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The use of this recombinant protein allowed the selection of monoclonal antibodies recognizing both the recombinant fragment and native α-fetoprotein. These antibodies should allow the development of an immunoassay for α-fetoprotein with absolute selectivity versus albumin