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Characterization of Embryonic Antigens in the Plasma of Developing Chick Embryos¹

Departments of Anatomy and Engineering Biophysics, University of Alabama in Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294

Two prominent -fetoproteins are found in chick embryo plasma up to and slightly beyond hatching. Only antisera against chick embryo plasma resolve them. ₃-fetoprotein is a lipoprotein, the first fetoprotein thus described. It probably functions to transport lipid from the yolk to the embryo. The other fetoprotein (₄) is a major glycoprotein. Both are made by the liver and yolk sac. From 9 days onward, albumin is the principal export protein of the liver; at 7 days, when it first appears in the plasma, the yolk sac, but not the liver, makes it. The reverse situation occurs at 9 days. These facts suggest a humoral relationship between the yolk sac and liver. The embryo synthesizes every plasma protein including fetoproteins and "adult" proteins (prealbumin, albumin, and transferrin). No "cold" or unlabeled proteins are seen.

¹ Presented at the Symposium "Cancer and Chemistry" as part of the Fourth Converence on Embryonic and Fetal Antigens in Cancer, November 2 to 5, 1975, Charleston, S. C. Supported by USPHS Grants HD 02775, 5 SO1-RR-05349, and 5 SO1-RR-05300.