AFP-Derived Peptides Which Stop Breast Cancer Growth

Abstract

AFP is a glycoprotein produced during pregnancy by fetal yolk sac and by fetal liver. A fetal physiological level of human AFP inhibits estrogen-stimulated growth of human breast cancer. This antiestrogenic activity of AFP is localized in a 34-mer peptide (AFP 447-480). Studies suggest that this 34-mer peptide tends to aggregate upon storage, concomitant with loss of activity. A series of parsing and amino acids substitutions in the AFP(447-480) sequence was intended to identify the shortest analog which retained antiestrogenic activity. The data suggested that an octapeptide (AFP472-479) is the minimal sequence required for the antiestrogenic activity found with the full-length AFP. AFP(472-479) aggregated during storage to form inactive species. Thus, a number of octapeptide analogs were produced with intent of minimizing aggregation and enhancing structural stability. Two octapeptide AFP472-479 analogs exhibited superior stability and retained biological activity during prolonged storage.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA407675

Entities

People

  • Fassil B. Mesfin

Organizations

  • Albany Medical College

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkenes
  • Amino Acids
  • Bioassay
  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical And Dental Materials
  • Blood
  • Breast Cancer
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Fatty Acids
  • Liquid Chromatography
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Measurement
  • Neoplasms
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Proteins
  • Therapy

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

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