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The Occurrence of a Serum Fetal ₁ Protein in Developing Mice and Murine Hepatomas and Teratomas¹

Graduate Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02154

Two fetal-specific serum antigens were demonstrated in fetal mouse protein extracts and in newborn serum when examined by immunodiffusion with antiserum to fetal extract. After dilution of the antiserum, microcomplement fixation assay was specific for one of these antigens. This antigen had the electrophoretic mobility of an ₁-globulin and a molecular weight of 65,000 to 70,000. Synthesis of ₁ fetal antigen begins on or before the 10th day of gestation; the total amount rises to a maximum at 20 days of gestation and falls sharply after birth. ₁ fetal antigen is not present in adult serum in concentrations greater than 0.0025% that of newborn serum. Synthesis of ₁ antigen is resumed in adult mice bearing transplantable hepatoma and teratoma tumors. A clonal in vitro line of testicular teratocarcinoma was found to synthesize ₁ fetal antigen. ₁ fetal antigens synthesized by perinatal mice, hepatomas, and undifferentiated teratoma cells are serologically identical.

¹ Publication No. 777 from the Graduate Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University. Supported by Research Grant E-222 from the American Cancer Society and Research Grant AI-01940 from the NIH.

² Postdoctoral traince supported by Training Grant NB05241 from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, NIH. Present address: The University of Wisconsin, Department of Medical Genetics, Madison, Wis. 53706.

³ American Cancer Society Professor of Biochemistry (Grant PRP-21).

Received 10/12/70. Accepted 3/ 1/71.